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Greek Mythology >> Bestiary >> Dragons >> Lydian Dragon (Drakon Maionios)

DRAKON MAIONIOS

Greek Name

Δρακων Μαιονιος

Transliteration

Drakôn Maionios

Latin Spelling

Draco Maeonius

Translation

Dragon of Maeonia

THE DRAKON MAIONIOS (Lydian Dragon) was a giant serpent which ravaged the Anatolian kingdom of Lydia (Maionia). It was slain by Herakles in the service of Queen Omphale. The hero's victory was afterwards memorialised amongst the stars as the constellation Ophiochus.

The story was probably derived from the local Lydian tale of Damasen and the Drakon.


PARENTS

Probably GAIA, though nowhere stated


CLASSICAL LITERATURE QUOTES

Pseudo-Hyginus, Astronomica 2. 14 (trans. Grant) (Roman mythographer C2nd A.D.) :
"Others point out that he [the constellation Opiuchus] is Hercules, killing in Lydia near the river Sagaris a Dracon (Dragon-Serpent) which kept destroying many men and stripping the river banks of grain. In return for this deed, Omphale, the queen of that region, sent him back to Argos loaded with gifts, and because of his bravery he was placed by Jove [Zeus] among the constellations."


SOURCES

ROMAN

BIBLIOGRAPHY

A complete bibliography of the translations quoted on this page.