Creatures: Hydra

The Hydra which lived in the swamps near to the ancient city of Lerna in Argolis, is a terrifying monster which like the Nemean lion was the offspring of Echidna (half maiden - half serpent), and Typhon (had 100 heads), other versions think that the Hydra is the offspring of Styx and the Titan Pallas. The Hydra has the body of a serpent and many heads (the number of heads deviates from five up to one hundred there are many versions but generally nine accepted as standard). Of which any weapon could never harm one, and if any of the other heads severed another would grow in its place (in some versions two would grow). In addition, the stench from the Hydra's breath was enough to kill man or beast (in other versions it was deadly venom). When it emerged from the swamp, it would attack herds of cattle and local villagers, devouring them with its numerous heads. It totally terrorized the vicinity for many years.
Heracles journeyed to Lake Lerna in a speedy chariot, and with him, he took his nephew and charioteer Iolaus, in search of the dreaded Hydra. When they finally reached the Hydras' hiding place, Heracles told Iolaus to stay with the horses while he drew the monster from its hole with flaming arrows. This brought out the hideous beast. Heracles courageously attacked the beast, flaying at each head with his sword, (in some versions a scythe) but he soon realized that as one head is severed another grew in its place. Heracles called for help from Iolaus, telling him to bring a flaming torch, and as Heracles cut off the heads one by one from the Hydra, Iolaus cauterized the open wounds with the torch preventing them from growing again. As Heracles fought the writhing monster he almost stifled by its obnoxious breath, but eventually, with the help of Iolaus, Heracles removed all but one of the Hydras' heads. Any weapon could not harm the one remaining, so, picking up his hefty club Heracles crushed it with one mighty blow, and he then tore off the head with his bare hands and quickly buried it deep in the ground, placing a huge boulder on the top. After he had killed the Hydra, Heracles dipped the tips of his arrows into the Hydras' blood, which was extremely poisonous, making them deadly. Other versions say that while Heracles fought the Hydra the goddess Hera sent down a giant crab, which attacked his feet). This legend comes from a marble relief dating from the 2nd century BCE found at ancient Lerna, showing Heracles attacking the Hydra, and near his feet is a huge crab. In addition, other legends say that a stray arrow set alight the forest, and it was the burning trunks, which Heracles ripped up and used to cauterize the open wounds. Hydra is and ancient Greek mythical beast that mentioned in the tale of the twelve labors of Hercules (called Heracles). The hydra has many heads (possibly 7, 8 or 9), the number of heads varies from different versions of the legend, however, more accounts agree on nine. It said the middle one was immortal and it has very poisonous venom and breath. If the heads were cut-off, the heads would grow back. One head cut-off would result to two heads growing back in its place. The Hydra has believed to live in the Lernean marsh that is located near Argolis, the region around Argos, Greece. Others say that the Hydra lived in the Cave in the Swamp of Lerna. The serpent-woman Echidna and the hundred-headed Typhon are Hydra’s parents. His siblings include the Nemean lion, Cerberus, Chimera and Ladon. The Hydra guards the entrance to the Underworld and from the murky swamps of the Lake of Lerna; the monstrous serpent would rise and terrorize the city. Hercules finally kills the Hydra during the second labor. The hydra are said to have the body of dragon/snake with many heads, two arms & legs with knife-like claws, sharp spines/spikes & a long serpent tail.