The myth of the Hydra of Lerna

The myth of the Lernaean Hydra tells about a frightening and merciless aquatic monster that was part of the Greek underworld. In ancient culture, there were celestial deities and also gods of darkness. This being belonged to the second category.

The myth of the Lernaean Hydra says that this creature had many heads. Some say three, others say five and there are those who speak of one hundred or ten thousand. One of his powers It was precisely to regenerate their heads when they were amputated.. For every one she lost, two grew.

This beast lived in Lake Lerna, near Nafplio. Its shape was that of a snake and it hid under the water. According to the myth of the Hydra of Lerna, One of the entrances to the underworld was located in the depths of the lake. and the monster’s mission was to protect her.

The origin of the myth of the Lernaean Hydra

The myth of the Lernaean Hydra begins with the father of the beast, who was Typhon. This was a god who controlled hurricanes. He was a winged monster, so high that he reached the stars. His fingers were dragon heads and on his thighs there was a swarm of snakes.

Typhoon vomited fire and lava. Likewise, he gave rise to earthquakes and hurricanes when he flapped his wings.. He confronted Zeus after he defeated the Titans. In a fierce combat, he tore off the tendons of the king of Olympus. Then, Hermes recovered them and returned them to his father, who this time fought against Typhon until he defeated him.

The myth of the Hydra of Lerna says that The mother of this creature was Edquidna, a terrifying nymph who had been born from the blood of Medusa’s neck.. She had scary black eyes and a snake-like body. She conceived several children with Typhon. Among these, Cerberus, Chimera, the Nemean Lion, the eagle of Prometheus and the Sow of Chromion.

Hercules and the Lernaean Hydra

According to the myth of the Hydra of Lerna, This monster emitted a poisonous halo. Whoever aspired to it died instantly.. Hera, wife of Zeus, imposed 12 tasks on Hercules that were practically impossible to achieve. The second of them was to kill the monster that, in addition, was devastating the fields and dwindling the flocks.

In his mission, Hercules had the company of Iolaus, his nephew. A faithful companion to whom the hero entrusted the task of driving the car in which he traveled. Thus, they both arrived at the Lerna swamp to look for the beast.

The two covered their faces very well to avoid the poisonous breath of the Hydra. Then, Hercules began to shoot flaming arrows towards where the terrible monster’s refuge was. His plan was to provoke him to come out of the depths so he could confront him. His strategy was successful and the frightening creature came out of hiding. She almost managed to beat her.

The death of the Lernaean Hydra

The myth of the Hydra of Lerna says that Hercules took his sword and began to cut off the monster’s heads.. However, every time she cut one off, two more appeared. Likewise, the beast clung to her legs and limited her movements. Seeing that the Hydra had found a rival equal to it, Hera sent it help.

Suddenly a giant crab appeared, lunged at Hercules and bit his feet. The hero crushed the crustacean; Pitying his fate, Hera sent him to heaven. Since then it became the constellation of Cancer. Meanwhile, Hercules called his nephew to help him.

In this way, while Hercules dismembered the monster’s heads with his sword, Yolao burned the wound to cauterize it and prevent a new one from being born.. It is said that between the two of them they managed to defeat the creature, destroying all its heads.

Once the fight was over, the hero buried the last head and He soaked some arrows with the poisoned blood of the beast to increase their damage capacity.. The most disconcerting thing is that it was later learned that Iolaus had helped Hercules, thereby invalidating the challenge.

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