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Hydra

Mythology
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

Lernaean serpent with regenerating heads, famously slain by Heracles as his second labor in Greek mythology.

Detailed Definition
The Lernaean Hydra, with regenerating heads and poisonous breath, was defeated by Heracles with Iolaus’ help. It symbolizes persistent evil. Poets reference the Hydra to explore themes of resilience against multiplying challenges and the necessity of clever strategy in overcoming adversity.
Example
Example in poetry:
Hesiod’s Theogony describes the Hydra as a multi-headed serpent slain by Heracles; Ovid’s Metamorphoses recounts the labor and regeneration of its heads; In Virgil’s Aeneid, the Hydra symbolizes overwhelming evil; Later allegory uses the Hydra to represent problems that multiply when attacked; In political poetry, it becomes a metaphor for resilient tyranny.
Additional Notes
Hydra, the multi-headed Lernaean serpent, regrows heads when cut—Heracles defeats it with fire and Iolaus’s help. Students should analyze it as a symbol of resilient evil or multiplying problems (“Hydra-headed”). Its poison becomes Heracles’ weapon. Later, it represents tyranny or chaos. Related: Heracles’ labors, Lerna, regeneration myths.
Also Known As
Hydra the Lernaean Serpent Nine-Headed Terror Regenerating Monster Heracles’ Bane
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