Hydra Greek Monster: Fearsome Multi-Headed Dragon That Inhabited Swamps Of Lerna

A. Sutherland  - AncientPages.com - In Greek mythology, strange, mythological creatures played a leading role in the stories of heroes and gods. These creatures have both an unusual or terrifying appearance and supernatural powers.

The Lernaean Hydra. Attic amphorae from the 5th century BC. source

One of them was the Hydra of Lerna, also known as the Lernaean Hydra, a multi-headed reptilian child of Echidna, the nymph, and the monster Typhoon. It symbolizes the difficulties in the fight against evil: a new one immediately grows when one of her heads is cut off.

In Greek and Roman mythology, the Hydra ("water snake") dwelled in the marshes near the Lake of Lerna, a bottomless lake connected to the Underworld, sometimes known as Hades. Hydra was a guardian of one of the entrances to Tartarus and the sibling of Cerberus, the goat/lion/serpent Chimaera, the two-headed hound Orthos, the Sphinx, the Nemean Lion, and the Krommyonian Sow.

She was a terrifying monster who poisoned enemies with her breath and blood. She possessed many heads, but their exact number varies, depending on the version of the myth.

Seven Or Nine Heads And The Ability To Regenerate

Hydra is often described and depicted as having seven or nine heads, the middle of which was immortal. In later versions of the Hydra myth, the monster possessed the ability to regenerate, and for every head chopped off, it could quickly regrow two heads.

Occasionally, depictions show her with dragon claws and a torso covered with hard scales, wings, or feet, while the body resembles a gigantic dog.

Hydra's breath was so poisonous it could kill any man who breathed it, and blood was toxic and capable of killing a man instantly.

Slaying The Multi-Headed  Hydra

Hydra was defeated by Hercules (Heracles), a divine hero in Greek mythology, the son of Zeus and Alcmene, in the second of his twelve labors.

 Hercules and the Hydra. John Singer Sargent, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston  

Upon reaching the lake where the monster lived, Heracles fired his arrows so Hydra would come out of its depths and fight with him. Heracles cut off one of his heads with his sword, but a new head emerged from his body.

Scorpions and snakes appeared from the blood that the monster shed on the ground. To continue with his dangerous task, Heracles asked the assistance of his nephew Iolaus to cut off all of the monster's heads, along with the creature's immortal head of gold) and burn the neck using a sword and fire.

Finally, the fearsome and hideous creature that terrorized both people kidnapped cattle, and devastated fields, was defeated once and for all.

Heracles buried the immortal head of the Hydra under a large boulder; thus, his second labor was completed.

Legend Of Water Monster – The African Hydra

According to another myth, the water snake, known as the African Hydra, had seven heads and the ability to control the water level in the river, which was her home.

The people made offerings to the creature to ensure the river's flow. One legend says that a couple decided to offer their daughter, Jinde, as a wife to the Hydra in return for a constant water supply. The girl begged the creature to let her return home to visit her parents; the Hydra agreed but swore if she did not return after one day, it would come after her.

For fear of the monster, Jinde's parents refused to help her escape from the Hydra, so the girl sought the assistance of her boyfriend. When Jinde did not return, the Hydra left her realm to retrieve his bride. Instead of the girl, the Hydra met Jinde's lover, who fought the monster and was able to decapitate each of its seven heads.

Hydra Symbolizes Difficulties And Obstacles

Many believe that the Hydra of Lerna is more than only one of the many fascinating monsters in the colorful Greek myths and legends.

The creature symbolizes difficulties and obstacles that multiply while accomplishing a task. Some others believe that the story of the Hydra of Lerna refers to the problems the region's inhabitants suffered when they drained a marsh to reclaim their land for their own protection.

Sometimes various problems appear over and over again, constantly tormenting our lives.

Updated on March 1, 2023

Written by - A. Sutherland  - AncientPages.com Senior Staff Writer

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