Hydra Lernaean Water Beast Of Greek Mythology

One of the creatures that are found in the books of Greek mythology is the Lernaean Hydra. The Greeks say that it was actually a snake like evil creature which used to live in the swampy areas of the ancient city of Lerna which was situated in the country of Argolis. This creature had several heads. The books said that his breath was so poisonous that it could kill anybody with just his own breathing.

Some say that this terrible creature by the name of Hydra was the son of Styx, the Greek Goddess of the river of death and the Titan Pallas. Others, however, have a different opinion of his decadency. They say that he was the son of Echidna, the creature which had the body of a maiden and a snake, and Typhon, the creature with as many as 100 heads. This creature of the underworld could not be killed by any sort of weapon.

Another factor that made the creature Hydra more indestructible is that fact that it had an immense regeneration power. People say that, if one of the several heads were cut down by anyone, another heads grows immediately in its place. In generally lived under the water, and when it came out of the swamps, it generally attacked not a single, but an entire herd of cattle, each mouth clutching on to a single animal. It had been a terror for every other who lived in its vicinity.

However, Hydra was eventually killed by the famous legend of Greek mythology, the Hercules. During his second labor, as Hercules approached Lake Lerna which is situated near the village Mili at the Argolic Gulf, he encounters this evil creature. The book says that leaving his nephew and his charioteer Iolaus behind, Hercules enters the creatures hiding place and drives it out with his flaming arrows. A fierce battle followed this encounter.

Hercules, with his swords, starts cutting of Hydras heads one by one, but was of no use as they instantly grew up again in their places. So, he could not kill the demon. Moreover, the poisonous breath started suffocating Hercules. Lolaus, knowing the way of killing the monster, rushed to help Hercules. As Hercules cut off one head and placed it, Iolaus would cauterize the wounds with a flaming torch, which prevented the head from growing in its place. Thus,. the creature was killed. Lernaean Hydra