Hercules performed twelve labors given to
him by King Eurystheus of Tiryns. For twelve years, he traveled all over to
complete these incredible tasks. NOTE: Because different ancient poets gave
their own accounts of Hercules's labors, some details may vary.
One: Kill the Nemean Lion
This monster of a lion had a hide was so tough
that no arrow could pierce it. Hercules stunned the beast with his olive-wood
club and then strangled it with his bare hands. It is said that he skinned the
lion, using the lion's sharp claws, and ever after wore its hide.
Two: Kill the Lernean Hydra
The evil, snakelike Hydra had nine
heads. If one got hurt, two would grow in its place. But Hercules quickly
sliced off the heads, while his charioteer, Iolaus, sealed the wounds with a
torch. Hercules made his arrows poisonous by dipping them in the Hydra's blood.
Three: Capture the Cerynian Hind
The goddess Artemis loved and protected this stubborn little
deer, which had gold horns. Hercules found it a challenge to capture the
delicate hind without hurting it (and making Artemis angry). After following
the hind for an entire year, he safely carried it away.
Four: Capture the Erymanthian Boar
The people of Mount Erymanthus lived in fear
of this deadly animal. Hercules chased the wild boar up the mountain and into a
snowdrift. He then took it in a net and brought it to King Eurystheus, who was
so frightened of the beast that he hid in a huge bronze jar.
Five: Clean the Augean Stables
Thousands of cows lived in these stables
belonging to King Augeas. They had not been cleaned in 30 years, but
Hercules was told to clean them completely in a single day. To do so he made
two rivers bend so that they flowed into the stables, sweeping out the filth.
Six: Kill the Stymphalian Birds
These murderous birds lived around Lake
Stymphalos. Their claws and beaks were sharp as metal and their feathers flew
like darts. Hercules scared them out of their nests with a rattle and then
killed them with the poison arrows he had made from the Hydra's blood.
Seven: Capture the Cretan Bull
This savage bull, kept by King Minos of Crete, was said to be insane and breathe fire. Hercules
wrestled the mad beast to the ground and brought it back to King Eurystheus.
Unfortunately, the king set it free, and it roamed Greece, causing terror
wherever it went.
Eight: Capture the Horses of Diomedes
King Diomededs, leader of the Bistones, fed his bloodthirsty
horses on human flesh. Hercules and his men fought and killed King Diomedes and
fed the king to his horses. This made the horses tame, so that Hercules was
able to lead them to King Eurystheus.
Nine: Take the Girdle of the Amazon Queen Hippolyte
Hercules went to the land of the Amazons, where the queen welcomed him and agreed to
give him her girdle for Eurystheus's daughter. But Hera spread the rumor that Hercules came as an enemy. In the
end he had to conquer the Amazons and steal the golden belt.
Ten: Capture the Cattle of Geryon
Geryon a winged monster with three human bodies,
had a herd of beautiful red cattle. He guarded his prized herd with the help of
a giant and a vicious two-headed dog. Hercules killed Geryon, the giant, and the
dog and brought the cattle to King Eurystheus.
Eleven: Take the Golden Apples of the
Hesperides
The Hesperides were nymphs. In their garden grew golden
apples protected by Ladon, a dragon with a hundred heads. Hercules
struck a bargain with Atlas, who held up the earth. Hercules shouldered the earth while
Atlas, the nymphs' father, fetched the apples.
Twelve: Capture Cerberus
Hercules was ordered to capture Cerberes, the three-headed guard dog of the
underworld, without using weapons. Hercules wrestled down the dog's wild heads,
and it agreed to go with him to King Eurystheus. Cerberus was soon returned
unharmed to the underworld.