Dragon's teeth (mythology)

In Greek myth, dragon's teeth (Greek: οδόντες (του) δράκοντος, odontes (tou) drakontos) feature prominently in the legends of the Phoenician prince Cadmus and in Jason's quest for the Golden Fleece. In each case, the dragons are real and breathe fire. Their teeth, once planted, would grow into fully armed warriors.

For other uses, see Dragon's teeth (disambiguation).
Cadmus Sowing the Dragon's Teeth, by Maxfield Parrish, 1908

Cadmus, the bringer of literacy and civilization, killed the sacred dragon that guarded the spring of Ares. The goddess Athena told him to sow the teeth, from which sprang a group of ferocious warriors called the spartoi. He threw a precious jewel into the midst of the warriors, who turned on each other in an attempt to seize the stone for themselves. The five survivors joined with Cadmus to found the city of Thebes.[1]

The classical legends of Cadmus and Jason have given rise to the phrase "to sow dragon's teeth." This is used as a metaphor to refer to doing something that has the effect of fomenting disputes.

  • Cadmus sowing dragon's teeth; workshop of Peter Paul Rubens, 17th century
  • Cadmus Sows the Dragon's Teeth Which Turn into Armed Men, by Hendrik Goltzius, 1615

References
  1. Grimal, Pierre (1992). "Cadmus". The Penguin Dictionary of Classical Mythology. A. R. Maxwell-Hyslop (trans.) (Reprint ed.). Penguin Books. ISBN 9780140512359.
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