Ancient Greek stories and mythological beasts were so compelling that they were adopted by other cultures and are well-known, even today. These fantastical creatures and monsters of the Greeks had their parts to play in poems, theatre and art. They could be good or evil. Some were enemies for heroes to vanquish, some provided wisdom and help to deserving mortals and demigods, and some enforced the will of the gods.
Heracles was tasked with killing the hydra and for this feat, he brought along his nephew, Iolaus. They covered their noses mouths to protect themselves from the deadly fumes of the beast and attacked. Heracles cut off one of the monster's heads, but then two head grew back and took its place. He cut off two more heads, and four more grew back. Thankfully, Iolaus figured out he could use a burning torch to seal the neck stumps when Heracles cut off one of the heads so they couldn’t grow back. Heracles put an end to the hydra when he cut off its main head and buried it under a large rock.
