Lernaean Hydra: Difference between revisions
imported>Sadelyrate Created page with "{{Era|Animals}} {{WP-REAL}} {{Otheruses|mythical snake|Hydra}} {{Imageneed}} {{Stub}} The '''Learnean Hydra''' was a gigantic, many-headed snake in the [[Greece|Greek]..." |
imported>Lacrossedeamon don't think this is applicable as the term is being applied to a completely different creature |
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{{Era|Animals}} | {{Era|Animals}}{{WP-REAL}} | ||
{{WP-REAL}} | |||
{{Otheruses|mythical snake|[[Hydra]]}} | {{Otheruses|mythical snake|[[Hydra]]}} | ||
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The ''' | [[File:ACOd-relief-LabourHydra.jpg|thumb|250px|A relief depicting Herakles and the Hydra]] | ||
The '''Lernaean Hydra''' was a gigantic, many-headed [[snake]] in the [[Greece|Greek]] [[Greek mythology|mythology]]. | |||
The Hydra | ==Description== | ||
The Hydra was described as a water monster with poisonous heads, one of which was immortal. In addition, for every head that was cut off, two more would sprout in its place.<ref name="DT">''[[Discovery Tour: Ancient Greece]]'' – [[Discovery Tour: Ancient Greece#Argolis|Argolis: The Hydra]]</ref> | |||
== | ==History== | ||
The Hydra lived in the lake [[Learna Swamp|Lerna]] of [[Argolis]],<ref name="DT" /> and the region became later known as [[Wetlands of the Hydra]].<ref name="ACOd">''[[Assassin's Creed: Odyssey]]''</ref> The second of the [[Labours of Hercules|twelve labours]] performed by the legendary hero [[Herakles]] under the orders of his cousin, King [[Eurystheas]] of [[Mycenae]], was the slaying of the Hydra.<ref name="DT" /> In this he succeeded with the help of his nephew [[Iolaos]], as after Herakles cut off a head, Iolaos burned the neck before new heads could grow.<ref name="DT" /><ref name="HL">''Assassin's Creed: Odyssey'' – [[Historical Locations]] – "Argolis: Learna Swamp"</ref> Another version of the myth said that Herakles used the snake's own venom to prevent its regeneration.<ref name="ACOd" /> | |||
== | When only the immortal head was left, Herakles used the golden [[sword]] the goddess [[Athena]] had granted him. Afterwards, Herakles used the Hydra's poisonous blood to anoint the tips of his arrows.<ref name="DT" /> | ||
==Influence and legacy== | |||
The story of the Hydra and Herakles' survived through the years, and was memorized in reliefs used to decorate temples and households.<ref name="ACOd" /> | |||
During the [[Peloponnesian War]], a member and the [[Sage (Cult of Kosmos)|Sage]] of the [[Gods of the Aegean Sea]] branch of the [[Cult of Kosmos]] used the creature's name as his [[The Hydra|cryptonym]].<ref>''Assassin's Creed: Odyssey'' – [[The Gods of the Aegean Sea]]</ref> | |||
On the [[Aegean Sea]] during the 5th century also sailed a ship called ''[[Kechrias]]'', whose sails and finery bore the image of the Hydra, to the point that they were called ''The Hydra's Venom''.<ref name="ACOd" /> | |||
One of [[Layla Hassan]]'s [[Animus]] [[Animus mod|modifications]] allowed Kassandra to obtain [[Mighty Greaves|greaves]] adorned with the shape of the Hydra, as well as [[Adrestia#Ship designs|sails]] and a [[Adrestia#Figureheads|figurehead]] featuring the likeness of the Hydra for the ship ''Adrestia''.<ref name="ACOd" /> | |||
==Gallery== | |||
<gallery widths="180" position="center" captionalign="center"> | |||
ACOd-Kechriasshield.jpg|A shield bearing the image of the Hydra aboard the ship ''Kechrias'' | |||
ACOD Hydra Figurehead.png|A figurehead inspired by the Hydra | |||
</gallery> | |||
==Appearances== | |||
*''[[Assassin's Creed]]'' {{1stm}} | |||
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Odyssey]]'' {{Mo}} {{Io|sculpture}} {{Io|painting}} | |||
*''[[Discovery Tour: Ancient Greece]]'' {{Mo}} {{Io|painting}} | |||
==References== | |||
{{Reflist}} | {{Reflist}} | ||
{{ACOD}} | {{ACOD}} | ||
[[Category:Animals]] | [[Category:Animals]] | ||
[[Category:Greek mythology]] | [[Category:Greek mythology]] | ||
[[Category:Mythical creatures]] | |||
Latest revision as of 23:04, 26 February 2025
The Lernaean Hydra was a gigantic, many-headed snake in the Greek mythology.
Description[edit | edit source]
The Hydra was described as a water monster with poisonous heads, one of which was immortal. In addition, for every head that was cut off, two more would sprout in its place.[1]
History[edit | edit source]
The Hydra lived in the lake Lerna of Argolis,[1] and the region became later known as Wetlands of the Hydra.[2] The second of the twelve labours performed by the legendary hero Herakles under the orders of his cousin, King Eurystheas of Mycenae, was the slaying of the Hydra.[1] In this he succeeded with the help of his nephew Iolaos, as after Herakles cut off a head, Iolaos burned the neck before new heads could grow.[1][3] Another version of the myth said that Herakles used the snake's own venom to prevent its regeneration.[2]
When only the immortal head was left, Herakles used the golden sword the goddess Athena had granted him. Afterwards, Herakles used the Hydra's poisonous blood to anoint the tips of his arrows.[1]
Influence and legacy[edit | edit source]
The story of the Hydra and Herakles' survived through the years, and was memorized in reliefs used to decorate temples and households.[2]
During the Peloponnesian War, a member and the Sage of the Gods of the Aegean Sea branch of the Cult of Kosmos used the creature's name as his cryptonym.[4]
On the Aegean Sea during the 5th century also sailed a ship called Kechrias, whose sails and finery bore the image of the Hydra, to the point that they were called The Hydra's Venom.[2]
One of Layla Hassan's Animus modifications allowed Kassandra to obtain greaves adorned with the shape of the Hydra, as well as sails and a figurehead featuring the likeness of the Hydra for the ship Adrestia.[2]
Gallery[edit | edit source]
-
A shield bearing the image of the Hydra aboard the ship Kechrias -
A figurehead inspired by the Hydra
Appearances[edit | edit source]
- Assassin's Creed (first mentioned)
- Assassin's Creed: Odyssey (mentioned only) (sculpture only) (painting only)
- Discovery Tour: Ancient Greece (mentioned only) (painting only)
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Discovery Tour: Ancient Greece – Argolis: The Hydra
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Assassin's Creed: Odyssey
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Odyssey – Historical Locations – "Argolis: Learna Swamp"
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Odyssey – The Gods of the Aegean Sea