Mythical Creatures- Hades & Hydra

Hades

Hades is the god of the lower world. His other common aliases include Pluto, and poetically Aides, Aidoneus, and Ploutens.

Hades father is Cronus and his mother is Rhea. He has two brothers which are Zeus and Poseidon. He was married to Persephone who is the daughter of Demeter. Hades is known as a fierce character who was hated by mortals. He is also one on the twelve Olympians. As the king of the lower world he controls what blessings come out of the earth. These blessings included all the metals that could be found inside the earth.

Family Tree

Hades is in the story The Odyssey. A modern reference to Hades is seen in the company called “Hades Footwear” who are known for their dark designer heels and boots. The reasoning behind the name is according to the company, “The name is referenced to Hades because he was known as a dark figure that relates to their style.” Hades powers consist of the power over the dead, invisibility, and riches. One significant thing that he did is he abducted Persephone from the the real world. After being threatened to release her, he had her eat a pomegranate seed which made her planted to the underworld for half the year.

Hydra

Hydra is a giant monster with seven, nine, or more heads. Also, known as the Lernaean Hydra. Hyrda is the offspring of Typhon and Echidna, and was raised by Hera. It tore through the country of Lernae which is near Argo. Also, it dwelt in a swamp near Amymone

Family Tree

Later stories of Hydra say that for every head that the Hydra lost it would grow two back. It had a poisonous breath and its blood was so virulent that it could be fatal. Hydra appears in the story Theogony which was written by Hesiod. Though not known for it, the Hydra could have been a protector of the underworld since its lair was located in Lerna which is known as an entrance to the underworld. Hydra was defeated by Heracles as one of his Twelve Labors. A modern day reference to the Hydra is how it is defined. Hydra: a persistent or multifaceted problem that presents a new obstacle when a part of it is solved. It is used in Francine Matthews novel Too Bad to Die when Matthews says, “Roosevelt’s ships and men were drowning in the Pacific, fighting a hydra that formed and reformed in successive island jungles.”