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Greek

Ladon

The Hundred-Headed Dragon · Guardian of the Golden Apples · Serpent of the Hesperides

01Identity

Ladon in Greek tradition

A hundred heads watched over the golden apples in the Garden of the Hesperides. Ladon guarded the tree that gave immortal life. The garden belonged to Hera, and the Hesperides nymphs tended it. Gaia gave the tree to Hera on her wedding day. Ladon needed no sleep, so it watched over the apples without rest.

In one telling, Typhon and Echidna fathered Ladon. In another, Ladon rose from the earth. Heracles went to the garden to fetch the golden apples as one of his labours. He killed Ladon, and Ladon became the constellation Serpentarius.

Top questions

The quick answers

  • Who is Ladon?

    Ladon is a Greek being associated with guardianship of the golden apples; the garden of the Hesperides; dragon and serpent lore; and Heracles’ eleventh labor.
    Source

    Source

    • Fabulous Creatures, Mythical Monsters and Animal Power Symbols
    • Classical Mythology a to Z

  • What is Ladon associated with?

    Ladon is associated with guardianship of the golden apples; the garden of the Hesperides; dragon and serpent lore; and Heracles’ eleventh labor.
    Source

    Source

    • Fabulous Creatures, Mythical Monsters and Animal Power Symbols
    • Classical Mythology a to Z

  • What family links are recorded for Ladon?

    Father: Phorcys, Mother: Ceto, 1 child.
02Family

Ladon’s family, at a glance

PhorcysTyphonCetoEchidna
Ladon
Metope
03The names

The names Ladon answers to

Ladon

The dragon’s proper name in Greek myth

SourceFabulous Creatures, Mythical Monsters and Animal Power Symbols

Drakon

Greek designation meaning dragon or serpent

SourceFabulous Creatures, Mythical Monsters and Animal Power Symbols

Hesperian Dragon

The dragon associated with the Hesperides

SourceClassical Mythology a to Z

04Related stories

Where Ladon is mentioned

Mentioned in

Stories elsewhere on MythSource that mention Ladon, each on that figure’s page.