Draco / Drakon v Cadmus / Kadmos
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Time Period: Unknown
References in Literature: Ovid's Metamorphoses, Nathanial Hawthorne's Tanglewood Tales
Sources: Illiana, XDrac, Dragons and Dragon Lore, Book of Dragons and Other Mythical Beasts, Python: A Study of Delphic Myth and Its Origins
Notes:
- Possibly one of the oldest legends in the West.
- Named Drako / Draco or Drakon
- Fiery eyes, forked tongue, and 3 rows of teeth
- Son of Ares or Ge
- Daughter is Harnomia, who Kadmos later marries. Harmonia may also be Drakon's sister.
Drakon, the dragon, may be been the king of Thebes, and when Kadmos came from Phoenicia to Thebes and killed Drakon, he took his wealth and kingdom. According to Derkylos and Palaiphatos, two 4th century BC authors.
Tale:Cadmus’s Sister was kidnapped by Zeus and Cadmus went to the Oracle to find out how to free her. On the Oracle’s advice, Cadmus and friends went to a spring in Thebes that was guarded by the dragon Draco, son of Ares and pet of Zeus. Cadmus and companions fought bravely, but many were killed. Cadmus used a spear or arrow (symbolizing lightning) or a rock to defeat the monster, although at one point the dragon wrapped himself around the hero to weaken him.
Eventually, though, Cadmus was victorious, but he was forbidden to return home by his father for not finding his sister.
After all that, Athena told him to sow Draco’s teeth into the ground. As soon as he did, the teeth grew into vast armies called Spartes that fought until only 5 people remain and Cadmus, with the remaining 5, founded the City of Thebes. He married Harmonia and had 4 children. As their lives drew to a close, they left Thebes and moved to Illyria where they became serpents themselves.
The god Ares was grieved and angry that Kadmos killed Drakon
Related Tales: Further Reading: