Hercules performed twelve labors given 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 Diomedes, 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 Cerberus, 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.