LERNA (settlement in Argolis)
Archaeological site in Argolis, Greece
- Kind of place
- Settlement
- Region
- Argolis
- Landmarks
- Springs of the Amymone Apollodorus 2.5.2; Sepulchres Statius, Thebaid 12.136-163 ¶2; Shore Pindar, Olympian 7 ¶6; Hydra's Den Apollodorus 2.5.2
- People of myth here
- Hippomedon, Lernaean Hydra
- Where
- 37.55° N, 22.72° E
The hydra's den was situated on a hill near the springs of Amymone here. Aeneid 6.801 The heat from the burnt Hydra warms the depths of Lerna's waters. Statius, Thebaid 2.365-390 ¶2 Mysteries honoring Lernaean Demeter are celebrated at Lerna. Pausanias 2.36.7
Described in the sources
The many-headed water-snake that was killed by fire was located at Lerna. Apollodorus 2.5.2 +4 Lerna is situated by the sea and described as having meadow land with deep pastures. Aeschylus, Prometheus Bound 640-686 +3 Lerna is situated at a distance of forty stades or less from Argos. Lucian, Dialogues of the Sea-Gods 5 ¶2 +2 The city at this location lacks running streams of water. Statius, Thebaid 4.704-729 ¶1 +1 The river Phrixus flows into the sea in the area between Temenium and Lerna. Pausanias 2.36.6 +1 The streams at Lerna retain water during the summer, unlike the nearby rivers, and are where Inachus's cattle feed. Aeschylus, Prometheus Bound 640-686 +1 The river Lerna shares its name with a nearby lake. Strabo 8.6.2 A spring named Lerna is located near the ancient gymnasium. Pausanias 2.4.5 Hippomedon is described as dwelling by the streams of Lerna. Euripides, The Phoenician Maidens 103-144 Lerna is the shore from which a fleet of ships was to depart. Pindar, Olympian 7 ¶6
Gods and worship
Expiatory purifications for criminals were performed at this place. Strabo 8.6.8 Four of the wells at this place are esteemed sacred and held in veneration. Strabo 8.6.8
Stories and history
The youths were murdered at this location. Pausanias 2.24.2 The waters of Lerna are described as unrighteous. Statius, Thebaid 2.365-390 ¶2 The city at this location has an abundance of wells. Strabo 8.6.8 Menoeceus prays for the Argive remnants to be hurled against Lerna. Statius, Thebaid 10.748-777 ¶2 The dragon that Lerna bred is described as having a hideous scream. Aeneid 6.282 Herculean fire is said to have branded the black marsh of Lerna's water. Statius, Thebaid 1.358-385 ¶1 The wells at this place are attributed to the invention of the Danaides. Strabo 8.6.8 The daughters of Danaus buried the heads of their slain husbands in Lerna. Apollodorus 2.1.5 Some people at the feast praised the water from Lerna as being the sweetest. Athenaeus 4.45 Lerna is described as shrinking backward during a period of widespread drought. Seneca, Thyestes act 1 ¶6
Myths set at Lerna
- The Slaying of the Lernaean Hydra. Heracles undertook the slaying of the Lernaean hydra as his second Labour. He killed the regenerating monster with the help of Iolaus and Athena. Aeneid 6.801 +5 Heracles
- The Slaying of the Lernaean Hydra. Heracles and his companion Iolaus travel to Lerna to confront the deadly Hydra. Iolaus uses fire to stop the monster's regenerating heads, allowing Heracles to slay it. Apollodorus 2.5.2 +5
- The Slaying of the Lernaean Hydra. Hera raised the Lernaean Hydra out of anger toward Heracles, who set out to slay the many-headed monster. Heracles and Iolaus defeated the creature by chopping off its heads and cauterizing the wounds to prevent regrowth. Apollodorus 2.5.2 +5
- The Abduction of Amymone. Triton spots Amymone at Lerna and alerts Posidon, who prepares to abduct her. Posidon carries off Amymone against her will with Triton's assistance. Lucian, Dialogues of the Sea-Gods 5 ¶2 Triton