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Description

Name: Echidna

Area of Origin: Greece

Depicted as a half-woman half-snake, Echidna was the mother of monsters in Greek mythology, with her children including that of Orthrus, Cerberus, and the Lernaean Hydra, among others. However, the 5th century BC historian Herodotus tells of a creature referred to as an echidna, rather than an individual named Echidna, possessing many of the same characteristics. This Echidna (“She-viper”) was also a beautiful snake-woman hybrid, and with Heracles (known as Hercules in Rome and in modern culture) bore three children. The third child, Scythes, was the mythical founder and progenitor of the Scythians. Despite being a well-known figure in the Greek pantheon, no depictions of her have been found in ancient artwork.

Description

Name: Echidna

Area of Origin: Greece

Depicted as a half-woman half-snake, Echidna was the mother of monsters in Greek mythology, with her children including that of Orthrus, Cerberus, and the Lernaean Hydra, among others. However, the 5th century BC historian Herodotus tells of a creature referred to as an echidna, rather than an individual named Echidna, possessing many of the same characteristics. This Echidna (“She-viper”) was also a beautiful snake-woman hybrid, and with Heracles (known as Hercules in Rome and in modern culture) bore three children. The third child, Scythes, was the mythical founder and progenitor of the Scythians. Despite being a well-known figure in the Greek pantheon, no depictions of her have been found in ancient artwork.