Which mythical creature with many heads did Hercules defeat by placing its heads under a rock?

• A. Hydra
• B. Chimera
• C. Cyclops
• D. Cerberus

Answer: (A)

Hydra represents a creature with many heads whose heads would regrow if cut off, making a simple decapitation ineffective. The decisive move in the myth is not just chopping heads but using a plan that stops the regrowth: after severing the heads, they’re cauterized to prevent new ones from forming, and the immortal head is buried under a rock so it cannot return. This combination—a many-headed monster with regrowth and the act of placing its heads (particularly the immortal one) under a rock—is unique to Hydra and explains why this is the correct choice. The other options describe different monsters (Chimera as a fire-breathing composite, Cyclops as a single-eyed giant, Cerberus as a multi-headed guard dog) that don’t fit the feat of regrowing heads or the rock-burial detail.