Ladon

Ladon is a dragon from Greek mythology best known for guarding the golden apples in the Garden of the Hesperides. Descriptions of Ladon vary: he is often portrayed as a large serpent-dragon, sometimes with many heads, though not all sources agree on his exact form or count. The creature’s chief function is to act as a vigilant guardian of the treasured apples.

In the myth, the apples are sacred to Hera and are tended by the Hesperides at the edge of the world. The garden’s location also varies in different traditions. The most famous narratives place Ladon as the sentinel that stands between heroes and the golden apples, making his defeat or bypass a key episode in the story of Heracles (Hercules). In several accounts, Heracles retrieves the apples as one of his twelve labors; in some versions Ladon is slain by Heracles, while in others the dragon is killed by another hero or remains alive until the apples are obtained, sometimes with Atlas aiding Heracles during the task.

Ladon is referenced in various ancient Greek texts, including Hesiod and Apollodorus, and appears in later literature and visual art as a symbol of implacable guardianship. The figure also appears in modern adaptations and fantasy works, where his role as the guardian of sacred treasure is retained or reinterpreted.

Etymologically, Ladon’s name is rooted in ancient Greek sources, with various genealogical attributions given in different traditions. While the core myth centers on guardian and treasure, details such as parentage and exact fate differ across authors, reflecting the fluidity of mythic tradition.