TYPHOEUS
The storm giant
What would be a more acceptable mate for a monster as terrifying as Echidna than Typhoeus? He has been described as one of the most feared monsters in history because he was so gruesome and powerful. Typhoeus was an answer to Hera’s prayers, by Gaea, a primeval divinity of earth, and Tartarus, a primordial god of the stormy pit that lays beneath the earth. When Hera was in an arguement with Zeus after Athena’s birth, Hera prayed to the gods, asking for child apart from Zeus that would be stronger than him. Gaea and Tartarus granted Hera’s wishes and gave birth to the monstrous Typhoeus, made to defeat Zeus (Theoi Project).
A massive combination of viper, dragon, and man, he was a disturbing and frightening sight. He is said to be larger than the mountains, so tall that his head was in the stars. His head resembles that of a human, but is made up of one hundred vipers faces. His eyes are able to flash fire, and his mouth makes horrible shrieking sounds as he spits fire and poison (Hesiod lines 822-835). He has the torso of a man, with muscular arms and fingers made of snakes, each one hissing. Behind his arms are his wings, and from the torso down are two giant viper tails. All of this contributes to the idea that Typhon is the perfect mate for Echidna, and together they spawn a multitude of children who are just as vicious.
One of the most famous stories that involves Typhoeus is his battle against Zeus. Typhoeus was created by Gaea and Tartarus, made to gain revenge against Zeus after he locked up the titans, also their children, in Tartarus. When Typhoeus made a charge for Olympus, all of the gods escaped to Aigypotos (modern day Egypt) as they transformed into their animal forms. Athena called Zeus out for being a coward, so he confronted the beast. Zeus hurled thunderbolts, drawing closer and closer as Typhoeus flew away. When Zeus got close to Typhoeus, Zeus attempted to battle the monster hand-to-hand, but Typhoeus entangled Zeus in his tails and cut out the ligaments from Zeus’s hands and feet. He picked the mighty Zeus up and carried him across seas to keep him trapped at the Corycian cave. Luckily for Zeus, Hermes and Aigipan fit the tendons back into Zeus, so he could gain all of his strength back. Zeus made a recovery, barreling down from the heavens in a chariot drawn by a winged horse, hurling thunderbolts at Typhoeus. He chased the evil monster through the Sicilian Sea until he finally hurled Mount Aitna, trapping him underneath for eternity. (Theoi Project)
This ancient vase (above), dates back to 540 BC, and features the ancient monster Typhoeus. In the painting, Typhoeus’ physical characteristics are clearly drawn out. You can see his two viper tails, his human torso and face and arms, and his mighty wings. In the vase, you are not able to make out the small details that make him so monstrous, such as the fact that his face is made out of vipers, and the multitude of snakes that are on the end of his hands.
While a majority of art pieces depicting Typhoeus are of him as a solo figure, such as this one, there are some that choose to depict the battle between him and Zeus. In fact, another side of this vase includes the scene of Zeus throwing a lightning bolt at Typhoeus (Theoi Project). This particular vase is a Chalcidian Black Figure, and it was made in the year 540 BCE. It can be found in Staatliche Antikensammlungen in Munich, Germany.
There are no known images depicting Echidna and Typhoeus together despite their well-known relationship. The reason for this is unknown.
This drawing (left) was done by Wenceslaus Hollar, a famous artist from Prague. Made in the 1620’s, this is a great example of Typhoeus/Typhon. In this depiction, his height is described accurately as his head is in the clouds, and you can also see the slithering snakes on the end of his hands. Though, in this diagram, Typhoeus has lost his wings and looks less like a monster, but more of a stationary giant. In comparison to the other physical source of Typhoeus, this looks much more humanized.