Unit        :	Age of Mythology: The Hydra
Creator     :	Andreas Schwermer (TheMorpheus)
Contact Info:	aschwermer@web.de

Included Files:
  Unit files
	Civilopedia Large and Small
  ALT_AomHydra_Small.pcx (by Vuldacon)
	AomHydra_units_32.pcx  (by Vuldacon)
  Sound files from following units:
  - Dragons (by Kinboat)
  - Balrog (by Kinboat)

Notes:		
  The Hydra which lived in the swamps near to the ancient city of Lerna in 
  Argolis, was a terrifying monster which like the Nemean lion was the offspring 
  of Echidna (half maiden - half serpent), and Typhon (had 100 heads), other 
  versions think that the Hydra was the offspring of Styx and the Titan Pallas. 
  The Hydra had the body of a serpent and many heads (the number of heads 
  deviates from five up to one hundred there are many versions but generally
  nine is accepted as standard), of which one could never be harmed by any 
  weapon, and if any of the other heads were severed another would grow in its 
  place (in some versions two would grow). Also the stench from the Hydra's 
  breath was enough to kill man or beast (in other versions it was a deadly 
  venom). When it emerged from the swamp it would attack herds of cattle and 
  local villagers, devouring them with its numerous heads. It totally terrorized 
  the vicinity for many years.
  Heracles journeyed to Lake Lerna in a speedy chariot, and with him he took his 
  nephew and charioteer Iolaus, in search of the dreaded Hydra. When they 
  finally reached the Hydras' hiding place, Heracles told Iolaus to stay with 
  the horses while he drew the monster from its hole with flaming arrows. This 
  brought out the hideous beast. Heracles courageously attacked the beast, 
  flaying at each head with his sword, (in some versions a scythe) but he soon 
  realized that as one head was severed another grew in its place. Heracles 
  called for help from Iolaus, telling him to bring a flaming torch, and as 
  Heracles cut off the heads one by one from the Hydra, Iolaus cauterized the 
  open wounds with the torch preventing them from growing again. As Heracles 
  fought the writhing monster he was almost stifled by its obnoxious breath, 
  but eventually, with the help of Iolaus, Heracles removed all but one of the 
  Hydras' heads. The one remaining could not be harmed by any weapon, so, 
  picking up his hefty club Heracles crushed it with one mighty blow, he then 
  tore off the head with his bare hands and quickly buried it deep in the 
  ground, placing a huge boulder on the top. After he had killed the Hydra, 
  Heracles dipped the tips of his arrows into the Hydras' blood, which was 
  extremely poisonous, making them deadly. 
  Other versions say that while Heracles fought the Hydra the goddess Hera sent 
  down a giant crab which attacked his feet). This legend comes from a marble 
  relief dating from the 2nd century BCE found at ancient Lerna, showing 
  Heracles attacking the Hydra, and near his feet is a huge crab. Also other 
  legends say that a stray arrow set alight the forest, and it was the burning 
  trunks which Heracles ripped up and used to cauterize the open wounds.

Credits:	
  Well credit obviously goes to Firaxis for the game, and Moenir for making 
  Flicster.  


