In Greek mythology, Typhon was the giant serpent-like monster Zeus defeated in a battle for control of the cosmos.
Typhon was described as a monstrous child of Gaia and Tartarus, or in some accounts as the offspring of Gaia alone. Ancient writers portrayed him as enormous, terrifying, and equipped with serpentine features. He challenged Zeus and represented a final threat to the authority of the Olympian gods.
The conflict between Zeus and Typhon became one of the great succession myths of Greek religion. Zeus attacked Typhon with his thunderbolts and eventually defeated him. Different sources place Typhon’s imprisonment beneath Mount Etna or another volcanic region, linking the monster with eruptions and subterranean fire.
Typhon is often confused with Python, the serpent associated with Apollo at Delphi. Python was killed by Apollo, while Typhon’s opponent was Zeus. Echidna, another monster in Greek mythology, was traditionally Typhon’s mate.