Last Update: 21 Mar 2021

Typhon, the monstrous opponent of Zeus

Typhon (Typhoeus) was a terrifying monster that was created by Mother Earth Gaea to do harm to Zeus

Family of Typhon

Typhon was a monstrous creature and the offspring of Gaea, the Mother Earth, and Tartarus, a lesser god of the underworld. Typhon mated with Echidna, who was half woman and half serpent, and they created creatures that would bring terror and disaster to mankind: Orthos, a two-headed dog; Cerberus, a three-headed dog; Lernaea Hydra, a chthonic, serpent-like creature with numerous heads; and Chimaira, a terrible creature with the body of a goat, the tail of a serpent or dragon, and the head of a lion.

The Appearance of Typhon

Typhon was half man and half beast. Below his thighs he had huge coiled serpents which, when fully extended, reached his head and emitted hissing sounds.

Typhon was the tallest and strongest child of Gaea. He rose higher than all the mountains and could scratch the stars with his head.

Typhon had wings and feathers all over his body. His hair was dirty and his eyes were flashing fire. From his huge arms sprang a hundred heads of a fierce dragon with black tongues. When Typhon stretched out his arms, he could reach the west from one side and the east from the other.

Typhon's Mission

Typhon was sought to destroy the world and to put obstacles in the way of Zeus on his way to the kingdom of heaven. Everywhere Typhon went he spread fear and disaster.