Hydra Facts

1. Originated in ancient Greece

2. Related to the Chimera, Ceberus, and Ladon, the ferocious dragon protector of the garden of the Hesperides and its golden apples

3. Had nine horned dragon heads which would duplicate when cut off

4. Was a long writhing water snake which resided in Lake Lerna

5. Hercules had to serve King Eurystheus of Tiryns for 12 years and perform 10 labours for him so that he could be purified for killing his sons during a moment of insanity

6. Vanquishing the Hydra was Hercule's second task

7. Hercules was aided by Iolaus who suggested searing the Hydra's necks after Hercule's cut them off

8. This cut the blood flow and new heads were prevented from growing

9. The Hydra died after all the heads were slain except for an immortal head, which Hercules and Iolaus buried under a rock

10. The rock is said to be found on the road from Lerna to Elaeus

11. The Hydra's gall was poisonous, so Hercules dipped his arrows in them. This would later cause Hercules's death.

12. The Constellation Hydra is the longest constellation in the sky and the largest in terms of area

13. Hydra's brightest star is called Alphard, which means "the solitary one"

14. Located in the area of the sky known as "the Sea", it is said to represent the great dragon of chaos, Tiamat, in early Babylonian mythology

gallery of Hydra pictures

next [Amphiptere/Quetzalcoatl]

References:

Books -
Dragons: A Natural History, by Dr. Karl Shuker

Websites -
(Apr 2002): Unlisted (way too many sites, checked
and cross-referenced for accuracy)