Hydra – Multi-Headed Serpent of Lerna
The Lernaean Hydra or Hydra of Lerna, is often known simply as the Hydra, a terryfying snake-like water monster from Greek and Roman mythology.
It made it’s home at the lake of Lerna in the Argolid, which was said to be one of the entrances to the Underworld, a sacred site that through achaeology has been established as dating back to a few hundred years B.C.
It’s defining trait is the hydra’s multiple heads. Any time a head is removed, two new heads would regenerate to replace it. The middle head was the largest and said to be in control of the others, in some texts it was believed to be immortal and even breathed fire. The other heads were not to be trifiled with either, their breath was poisonous and their blood could burn through flesh! Even its scent was deadly.
In mythology it is attested as having nine heads, though this depends on the author. Described as being up to 25 metres long and nearly 15 meters high, many legends happen upon an encounter with this monster at different stages in it’s life. In these legends and myths, they often refer to the hydra as female.
Eurystheus, the king of a stronghold in ancient Greece, sent Hercules to slay the Hydra as part of his second labour. The beast was wreaking havoc on the local livestock, killing and eating entire flocks of cattle and sheep! One of the twelve Olympians, the goddess Hera, is said to have created the monster in order to end the life of Hercules.
Read more about the Labours of Hercules!
After hearing the news of the Hydra’s demise at the hands of Hercules, Hera immortalised the serpent forever by placing it in the sky as a constellation where it can still be seen to this day.
Many religions make reference to monsters similar to the Hydra.
- In Sumerian, Babylonian, and Assyrian mythology Ninurta the god of war and hunting was said have slain 11 monsters during a mountain expedition. One of these monsters being a seven-headed serpent
- Yamata no Orochi was serpent monster with eight heads, referenced in Japanese myths and legend