The Lernaean Hydra

Earl Staley, "Hercules and the Lernaean Hydra."
Acrylic canvas 160 x 120 cm (1983). Private collection.
Click on image for full size (149K JPEG)
Image courtesy of Mr. Earl Staley.

A long time ago, Greek people believed that a long strip of stars was really an image of a gigantic serpent known as the Hydra. The people of Lerna were terrorized by this serpent--a horrifying beast with many snake-like heads, one of which was immortal. The heads of the Hydra could grow back even if they were cut off. Anyone approaching the Hydra could also be killed by its venomous breath.

The destruction of the Hydra was one of the many difficult tasks that Heracles, had to perform to show that he was sorry for a terrible crime he committed. Heracles was so brave and strong that he succeeded in killing the Hydra, with the help of his nephew, Iolaus. Everytime Heracles would cut off one head of the beast, Iolaus would sear its injured neck, preventing new heads from growing back.

During their fight, an enormous crab emerged from the swamp to aid the Hydra. Heracles killed the crab by crushing its shell with his foot. Heracles buried the Hydra's head under a heavy rock.

Visit the constellation Hydra

Last modified prior to September, 2000 by the Windows Team

The source of this material is Windows to the Universe, at http://www.windows.ucar.edu/ at the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR). © The Regents of the University of Michigan. Windows to the Universe® is a registered trademark of UCAR. All Rights Reserved. Site policies and disclaimer

The Lernaean Hydra

Earl Staley, "Hercules and the Lernaean Hydra." Acrylic canvas 160 x 120 cm (1983). Private collection. Click on image for full size (149K JPEG) Image courtesy of Mr. Earl Staley.

Earl Staley, "Hercules and the Lernaean Hydra."
Acrylic canvas 160 x 120 cm (1983). Private collection.
Click on image for full size (149K JPEG)
Image courtesy of Mr. Earl Staley.