The Hydra was a multi-headed snake-monster raised by the goddess Hera that lived in the swamps near Lerna. Up to fifty heads are reported for the creature in ancient sources, but it usually is depicted with fewer, as on this vase. Herakles, accompanied by his nephew Iolaos, killed this menace as the second of the Labors he had to perform for king Eurystheus. Herakles' lion skin protected him from the snake's venom, which he later used to make his arrows poisonous.
<bdi><a href="https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Klasse_von_Athen_581" class="extiw" title="de:Klasse von Athen 581">Class of Athens 581</a>
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