Typhoeus ( also known as Typhon ) is a giant serpentine creature. Typhoeus is considered the deadliest creature in Greek mythology. Most historians believe that Typhoeus is the son of Tartarus and Gaia. However, some historians have speculated that Typhoeus is the offspring of Hera or Cronus. The story of Typhoeus is connected to the Greek succession myth that explains how Zeus became the ruler over all of the other gods.
Early years
By most accounts, Typhoeus was born out of Gaia’s anger at the gods for destroying the Giants. Typhoeus was born in Cilicia and was raised in the Corycian Cave. The Greek poet Hesiod described Typhoeus as being very powerful, with snake heads that produced fire and made several different noises. Other depictions of Typhoeus made it appear that he had over 30 heads. Nonnus said that Typhoeus was a huge winged monster who could poison anyone simply by speaking. Nonnus said that Typhoeus had many different monster heads, including lions, bulls, leopards, wolves, and bears.
Typhoeus’s Children
Typhoeus was in love with Echidna, a monstrous half woman and half snake. Typhoeus and Echidna created many creatures. Some of Typhoeus’s offspring include Cerberus, Orthrus, the Lernaean Hydra, and the Crommyonian Sow. Typhoeus is rumored to be the father of at least 12 more creatures.
Typhoeus Battles Zeus
Typhoeus and Zeus fought for control of the cosmos. Hesiod wrote that Zeus used his thunderbolt to destroy the many heads of Typhoeus after a very intense battle. Typhoeus then crashed to Earth. The Greek geographer Strabo wrote that the battle between Zeus and Typhoeus took place in many different locations. According to Strabo, Typhoeus and Zeus battled through the Orontes River, Gediz River, Catacecaumene, Cydia, Mysia, and Sardis. Once Typhoeus was defeated, historians believe that he was buried in either Mount Etna or Ischia.
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