Hydra

A hydra encountered in Thrace.

A hydra was a multi-headed, serpentine monster, descended from the Lernaean Hydra, a daughter of Typhon and Echidna.

Origin and description

The first Hydra was the daughter of Typhon and Echidna. According to Aeneas, all hydras were made with little keys called aspawned from the "Infernal Regions."

At some point before her death, the Lernaean Hydra was able to propagate herself. Although many lived in caves, others were encountered at sea.

Hydras had the ability to regrow multiple(many) heads after destruction. They were only fully defeated by burning. The Lernaean Hydra was able to transform into a human being, although no other hydras were known to have this ability. Autolycus thought that flying hydras existed. Gabrielle once described "fire-breathing, tin-headed hydras" for a story she told.

History

The Lernaean Hydra tormented the Lyrians. She was killed by Hercules and Iolaus outside Corinth, Eubola, and Argos.

Another hydra was faced by Iolaus in Thrace.

Xena and Joxer would also face hydras during their careers.

List of hydras

As Aeneas was familiar with hydras, he may have faced one during his career.

• The Lernaean Hydra, defeated by Hercules and Iolaus, later resurrected by Callisto
  • The Hydra of Thrace, defeated by Iolaus and Lydia
  • The Savage Hydra, defeated by Joxer and Xena
  • A sea hydra, defeated by Xena

Background information

The Lernaean Hydra featured prominently in the opening credits to every episode of Hercules: The Legendary Journeys, and on the covers and pages of many Hercules related material, such as the Hercules & Xena Roleplaying Game.

A Hydra Figure was created by ToyBiz.

Appearances and mentions

• Hercules and the Amazon Women
• Hercules in the Maze of the Minotaur (archive material)
• HTLJ:
  • "Pride Comes Before a Brawl"
  • "The Cave of Echoes" (archive material)
  • "War Bride" (dream sequence)
• XWP comic:
  • "Joxer: Warrior Prince #1"
  • "Hydra and Seek"
  • "Trial by Torment!"
  • "Holy Acrimony"

Mentions

• Hercules in the Underworld
• HTLJ:
  • "The Wrong Path"
  • "The Warrior Princess"
  • "The Mother of All Monsters"
  • "The Other Side"
  • "Cast a Giant Shadow"
• XWP:
  • "Hooves and Harlots"
  • "The Prodigal"
  • "Altared States"
• HTLJ: "Doomsday"
• XWP: "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun"
• HTLJ:
  • "Monster Child in the Promised Land"
  • "The Green-Eyed Monster"
  • "Prince Hercules"
  • "Descent"
  • "Be Deviled"
  • "Hercules, Tramps and Thieves"
  • "Full Circle"
• XWP: "Little Problems"