A Basilisk (from the Greek basileus, a king) is a mythical reptile, reputed to be king of serpents, which is supposed to have the power of causing death by look alone.
It is called a king from having on its head a mitre-shaped crest. In the same blood line as the cockatrice. The Basilisk is fabulously alleged to be hatched by a serpent or reptile from a cock's egg.
see also Greek mythology