Historiae Romanorum

Echidna

Echidna is the final child of Phorcys and Ceto.  She is half a beautiful nymph, and half a monstrous serpent.  A horrible creature, Echidna was forced to dwell in a cave beneath the earth, far from gods and men alike. 

There she joined with the final son of Gaia, Typhaon, before he arose from the earth and challenged Zeus.  With Typhaon as her mate, she gave birth to several monsters: Orthos, Ladon, Cerberus, the Hydra, Chimaera, and the Nemean Lion.  With Orthos, she gave birth to the Sphinx.  These children Zeus allowed to roam the earth, so that they could be a test for the heroes soon to come.

Source(s):

1. Hesiod.  Theogeny.

This page was last updated on July 21, 2004.