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October 08, 2003
Hydra venom
More thoughts on ancient chemical and biological warfare remind me of something said to me in the weeks after 9/11. An acquaintance of the Flea claimed military action in Afghanistan would fail inevitably as the Americans did not understand the nature of their adversary. For every jihadi defeated many more would spring forward to take their place. It is like the Hydra. Do you know the legend of the Hydra?
Rather better than she did apparently. And you know what happened to Hydra, I replied.
Hercules killed it.
Up against the Many-Headed Hydra, Hercules forced the monstrous serpent from its den by shooting fiery arrows coated with pitch. After finally slaying the Hydra, he cut open the body and dipped his arrows in its poisonous venom. His quiver was never again without a supply of poison arrows.
Posted by Ghost of a flea at October 8, 2003 10:13 AM
