Labor II

Abstract

Heracles’ second Labor consisted of conquering a serpentine monster living in the marshlands near Lerna in the Argolid. The usually nine-headed Lernean Hydra had multiple appendages ending in snake heads, which, when cut or destroyed, regenerated themselves and multiplied. Heracles was assisted by Iolaus on this venture because Hera also sent a crab to attack and distract the hero from the task. This chapter explores the notable textual and visual representations of the myth, together with the topography and hydrology of Lerna, and suggests that the Hydra is emblematic of wilder environmental dangers against which Heracles is very often a champion.