Greek Mythology The Labors of Heracles

Heracles ’ Childhood

Characters-Alcmene Alcmene was the mother of Heracles and Iphicles. Although Heracles and Iphicles were twins, only Heracles was an immortal hero.

Characters-Hera Hera was the wife and one of three sisters of Zeus. Her chief function was as the goddess of women and marriage. Hera was known for her jealous and vengeful nature, most notably against Zeus's lovers and offspring.

Characters-Heracles Heracles was a divine hero in Greek mythology, the son of Zeus and Alcmene. Extraordinary strength, courage, ingenuity, and sexual prowess with females were among his attributes.

Plot Being the son of the supreme deity Zeus and a mortal woman. Zeus's queen Hera was jealous of Heracles, and when he was still an infant she sent two snakes to kill him in his crib. Heracles was found prattling delighted baby talk, a strangled serpent in each hand.

The Labors of Heracles

Theme The name “Heracles” means “Hera’s glory”. Hera sent Heracles a lifetime of difficulties and challenges and he suffered a great deal, but he also achieved tremendous victories that led to everlasting fame and glory. To this day, when someone struggles valiantly against great odds, it is said to be a “Herculean” effort.

Characters-Eurystheus Eurystheus, king of Tiryns, gave twelve labors to Heracles.

Characters-Nereus Nereus was the old man of the sea, who would aid heroes such as Heracles who managed to catch him even as he changed shapes.

Characters-Atlas Atlas was the primordial Titan who supported the heavens. Heracles went to Atlas and offered to hold up the heavens while Atlas got the golden apples.

Plot When Heracles grew up, he became a strong and tempestuous man. Not knowing his strength, Heracles sometimes did wrong. To atone for his mistakes, he was sentenced to perform a series of tasks, or "Labors" for the king Eurystheus. As his first Labor, Heracles was ordered to kill the Nemean lion. He used his strength and killed it with his bare hands. Ever afterwards he wore the lion's skin as a cloak and its gaping jaws as a helmet.

Plot After successfully completeing his first labor, Eurystheus gave Heracles different labors. Heracles easily finished his labors one by one, from killing Hydra, to capturing the boar, to killing the Stymphalian birds.

Plot King Eurystheus was jealous of Heracles. Thus he assigned him more difficult labors than before. He was ordered to bring the golden apples back. To get the golden apples, Heracles went to Atlas and offered to hold up the heavens while Atlas got the golden apples. Atlas soon returned with the apples and he thought he might be able to have Heracles hold the sky forever. However, Heracles tricked Atlas and got the apples back to Eurystheus.

Plot As Heracles final Labor, he was instructed to bring the hellhound Cerberus up from Hades, the kingdom of the dead. The ferryman took him to the Underworld. With the permission of Hades, Heracles knocked Cerberus out with his bare hands and brought the beast back to Eurystheus.

Plot With the last labor done, Heracles’ service to Eurystheus ended and his penitence was completed. Heracles was the only hero to become a full-fledged god upon his demise. By virtue of his spectacular achievements, he was given a home on Mount Olympus.

The twelve labors of Heracles

1. Kill the Nemean Lion 2. Kill the Hydra 3. Capture the Ceryneian hind 4. Capture the Erymanthian boar 5. Cleansing of Augeas' stables 6. Removal of the Stymphalian birds 7. Capture the wild bull of Crete (who sired the Minotaur) 8. Capture the man-eating mares of Diomedes 9. Fetch the girdle of Hippolyta, queen of the Amazons 10. Capture the cattle of Geryon 11. Fetch the golden apples of the Hesperides (female guardians of the fruit that Gaia gave to Hera on her wedding day to Zeus) 12. Bring Cerberus out of Hades (Heracles gained immortality during this labor) The twelve labors of Heracles

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