Editing Echidna (mythology) (section)

==The Viper in the ''Acts of Philip''==
A possibly related creature to the Hesiodic Echidna is the "Viper" (''Echidna'') cast into an abyss, by [[Philip the Apostle]], in the apocryphal ''[[Acts of Philip]]''.<ref>For an English translation of the ''Acts of Philip'', see Buvon; for  an English translation of selected passages (relating to dragons) see also Ogden 2013b pp. 207&ndash;215. For the possible relationship between the "Viper" and the Hesiodic Echidna, see Ogden 2013a, [https://books.google.com/books?id=FQ2pAK9luwkC&pg=PA81 pp. 81&ndash;82], 422&ndash;425; Ogden 2013b, [https://books.google.com/books?id=Vv0Fxm6Amh4C&pg=PA16 p. 16], [https://books.google.com/books?id=Vv0Fxm6Amh4C&pg=PA216 p. 216]; Fontenrose, [https://books.google.com/books?id=wqeVv09Y6hIC&pg=PA95 pp. 95&ndash;96].</ref> Called a "she dragon" (''drakaina'') and "the mother of the serpents",<ref>''Acts of Philip'', 8.17 (V); Bovon, p. 79; Ogden 2013b, p. 208.</ref> this Echidna ruled over many other monstrous dragons and snakes, and lived in a gated temple at [[Hierapolis]],<ref>''Acts of Philip'', ''Martyrdom'' 19 (V); Bovon, p. 99; Ogden 2013b, pp. 213&ndash;214.</ref> where she was worshipped by the people of that land. She, along with her temple and priests, was swallowed up by a hole in the ground that opened beneath her, as the result of Philip's curse.<ref>''Acts of Philip'', ''Martyrdom'' 26&ndash;27 (V); Bovon, pp. 101&ndash;102; Ogden 2013b, pp. 214&ndash;215.</ref>