The Hydra.
The wound that grows another head
The Lernaean Hydra: Greek Monster and Heracles’s Second Laboris the many-headed serpent of Lerna whose severed heads grow back. ’s encounter with it turns the failure of repeated force into a problem solved through cooperation and a changed method.
More than a myth.
The monster at Lerna
places the Hydra in the family of and and says nourishes it against . The locates it near Lerna and gives it several heads, including an immortal one. The number is not identical across ancient representations, so many-headed serpent is a safer general description than a universal fixed count.
How Heracles defeats the Hydra
Cutting heads off makes the task worse as new ones grow. Iolaus supplies the crucial assistance by cauterizing the necks, while removes the immortal head and buries it beneath a heavy rock. also sends a crab into the struggle. later refuses to count the labor because another person helped complete it.
The poison after the victory
dips arrows in the Hydra’s venom, making the defeated creature’s danger available for later use. That poison contributes to suffering elsewhere in his story, including ’s incurable wound. The monster does not disappear from the narrative simply because its body has been overcome; its destructive force continues through the hero’s weapons.
Questions about The Hydra
Why do the Hydra’s heads grow back?
Regeneration is the creature’s defining obstacle in the labor. Iolaus prevents it by burning the cut necks, changing how can attack.
Who helped Heracles kill the Hydra?
Iolaus. The help is essential, even though uses it as a reason not to count the task among the originally assigned labors.
It’s a family affair.
The stories of The Hydra.
Continue with the ancient accounts.
This story collection does not yet include a full retelling centered on The Hydra. Explore the cited sources below and the connected profiles for more of the surviving accounts.
Ancient voices.
Enduring stories.
Myths have many tellings. These are the ancient works behind this profile, linked to freely available English translations.
Theogony
Lines 313–318
Library
Book 2.5.2, 2.5.4