Typhon

Typhon (/ˈtaɪfɒn, -fən/; Ancient Greek: Τυφῶν, romanized: Typhôn, [tyːpʰɔ̂ːn]), also known as Typhoeus (/taɪˈfiːəs/; Τυφωεύς, Typhōeús), Typhaon (Τυφάων, Typháōn) or Typhos (Τυφώς, Typhṓs), was a monstrous serpentine giant and among the most lethal creatures in Greek mythology. According to Hesiod, Typhon was born to Gaia and Tartarus, though alternative accounts describe him either as Hera's offspring created without male involvement, or as a child of Cronus. Together with his mate Echidna, Typhon fathered numerous legendary monsters.

Typhon challenged Zeus for cosmic supremacy, resulting in a catastrophic battle that Zeus ultimately won using his thunderbolts. Following his defeat, Typhon was either imprisoned in Tartarus, entombed beneath Mount Etna, or according to later traditions, buried under the island of Ischia.

The Typhon narrative forms part of the Greek succession myth explaining Zeus's rise to power over the gods. Typhon's legend shares connections with Python (the serpent slain by Apollo), with both stories likely deriving from various Near Eastern predecessors. From approximately 500 BC, Typhon became associated with the Egyptian god of destruction, Set. In later mythology, Typhon was frequently conflated with the Giants.