In Greek mythology, Zeus defeated Typhon in the battle for cosmic rule.
Typhon was a gigantic serpentine monster associated with volcanic and destructive forces. Greek writers describe him as a child of Gaia and Tartarus, or as arising from related primordial powers. He was portrayed with enormous wings, numerous serpent heads, and snakes forming part of his body, making him one of mythology’s most formidable monsters.
Typhon challenged Zeus and attacked the Olympian order. In the surviving myths, Zeus ultimately overcame him with thunderbolts and buried him beneath Mount Etna or another volcanic region, depending on the author. The story helped explain earthquakes, eruptions, and violent winds.
Typhon is not the same figure as Python, the serpent killed by Apollo at Delphi. Typhon’s conflict is a cosmic succession struggle, whereas Python’s story is tied to the establishment of Apollo’s oracle.