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dragons

OF ANCIENT GREECE

Myths Without Wings

In the minds of many, dragons soar though the skies, breathing fire and casting shadows over legendary lands. But to the ancient Greeks, dragons - or rather drakones - were different. These mythical beasts were often wingless, serpent - like guardians of sacred groves, divine relics, and the secrets of the gods.

Some slither across the earth, vast and immortal, like giant serpents. These are the vreatures we find in Greek myths: Landon, the watchful dragon of the Garden of the Hesperides, or Python, the terrifying beast slain by Apollo.

Greek dragons weren’t just monsters to defeat - they embodied chaos, mystery, and the trials evey hero had to overcome

LADON

Ladon was a mythical dragon or giant serpent who, according to the ancient Greeks, guarded the golden apples in the Garden of the Hesperides. This garden was a hidden, paradise-like place at the edge of the world, and the apples granted immortality — making them incredibly valuable.

Ladon was depicted as a multi-headed monster — according to some versions of the myth, he had as many as one hundred heads! Interestingly, each of his heads spoke with a different voice. The dragon was endlessly vigilant and never slept, which made it impossible for anyone to sneak into the garden without a fight.

Heracles (Hercules) killed Ladon during one of his Twelve Labors. His task was to retrieve the golden apples for King Eurystheus. After Ladon's death, the goddess Hera (his protector) placed him in the sky as the constellation Draco.

"Dragons are not killed for money. They are killed for glory, for fame. For legend."

– The Last Wish (quote from the story "The Bounds of Reason"

HYDRA

FROM LERNA

The Hydra was a fearsome multi-headed water dragon from the swamps of Lerna in ancient Greece. Known for its regenerative abilities, when one of its heads was severed, two more would grow in its place. Each head could spew toxic venom or burning poison, making it a deadly adversary. The Hydra's blood was also highly poisonous, and its presence was enough to contaminate the area around it.

Heracles (Hercules) faced the Hydra as one of his Twelve Labors. Though nearly invincible, he was able to slay the creature with the help of his nephew Iolaus, who cauterized the stumps of the severed heads to prevent regeneration. Despite its death, the Hydra’s poison remained, and Heracles used it to dip his arrows, making them deadly. The Hydra’s legacy lives on as a symbol of self-replicating challenges and the eternal struggle against chaos and evil.

TYPHON

Typhon is one of the most powerful creatures in Greek mythology, and a great example of a dragon-like being with a single head that breathes fire. While in some versions of the myth, Typhon is depicted as having a monstrous body, the traditional portrayal is that of a fire-breathing creature with a huge head capable of unleashing deadly flames. His myth revolves around his conflict with Zeus, as Typhon sought to overthrow the gods of Olympus and claim dominion over the world.

Typhon is depicted as a fiery, catastrophic being whose breath and strength could destroy entire lands. He is seen as the embodiment of violence and chaos, and his clash with Zeus represents the ultimate battle between primal forces and divine order. Ultimately, he was defeated by Zeus, who trapped him under Mount Etna on the island of Sicily. This event is said to explain the volcanic eruptions that periodically occur in the region.

Typhon symbolizes chaos, primal destruction, and uncontrolled power. His battle with Zeus and his eventual defeat represent the triumph of order over chaos. The figure of Typhon was used to explain natural disasters like volcanic eruptions and storms.

COPYWRIGHT | JULIA MIERZWA 2025