Perseus = Andromeda Electryon = Alcaeus Anaxo Sthenelus Eurystheus Zeus = Alcmene = Amphitryon Heracles Iphicles Iolaus
Heracles at Thebes
Young Heracles Hera: Sent a sea serpent to kill the baby Heracles Heracles strangled the serpent Young Heracles: One of his tutors, Linus, brother of Orpheus Heracles killed Linus (self defense) Sent to the cattle farm at Thebes
The Minyan War Clymentus, king of the Minyans Wounded by Menoeceus of Thebes His son, Erginus attacked Thebes Thebes lost the war, paid tribute to Erginus Heracles led attack on the Minyans Heracles gets Megara, daughter of Creon
Hera s Wrath Jealous of his fame, Hera drove Heracles mad Heracles killed all of his children To be purified of the crime, Heracles must perform ten labours for Eurystheus. Eurystheus Son of Sthenelus, son of Perseus. Now king of Mycenae
Ten (Twelve) Labours 1. The Nemean Lion Heracles choked the Lion Brought it to Mycenae Eurystheus refused him entry 2. Lernean Hydra Snake with nine heads, one immortal Cut off the heads, buried the immortal one Needed the help of Iolaus So this labour didn t count amongst the ten.
1. Nemia 2. Lerna 1 2
Heracles slays the Nemean Lion
Lion s Gate Mycenae
Lernean Hydra
Gordian III, (AD 238 244)
Bronze plate ca. 1490
Gibraltar, 1998
Labours 3. Cerynitian Hind - Alive A deer sacred to Artemis Heracles hunted it for a year Had to wound it to catch it. 4. Erymanthian Boar Alive Accidentally killed Cheiron on the way Apollodorus ii.5.4, but the story seems out of place. Trapped the Boar in the snow
Erymanthian Boar
3 1. Nemia 2. Lerna 4 1 2 3. Ceryneia 4. Mt. Lampeia (?)
5. Clean the Stables of Augeas Augeas, king of Elis Heracles tricked Augeas into shares Heracles diverted a river through the stables Didn t count because Heracles made a profit 6. Chase the Stymphalian Birds Heracles used castanets, or a cymbal. 7. Catch the Cretan Bull Bull of Europa or Bull of Poseidon Heracles brought it to Mycenae but set it free.
1. Nemia 2. Lerna 3. Ceryneia 4. Mt. Lampeia 5. Elis 6. Lake Stymphalia 5 3 6 4 1 2
1. Nemia 2. Lerna 3. Ceryneia 4. Mt. Lampeia 5. Elis 6. Lake Stymphalia 7. Crete 7
The Cretan Bull
8. Capture the Mares of Diomedes Invasion of Thrace Killed the king and took the horses Founded Abdera 9. Steal the Belt of Hippolyte Queen of the Amazons Heracles first conquered Paros Aided Lycia in a war Killed Hippolyte and took the belt of Ares
Thermedon R. Abdera Paros Lycia
Heracles fighting the Amazons
Heracles at Troy Laomadon, King of Troy Beset by a sea monster Hesione, daughter of Laomedon, to be sacrificed Heracles Killed the monster for the horses of Tros Laomedon reneged Heracles vowed to return
Labour 10 The Kine (cattle) of Geryon Red cows from Cadiz Guarded by Orthus two headed dog Heracles erected the Pillars on his way Heracles killed Geryon and took the cattle The cattle eventually dispersed
The Pillars of Hercules
Cadiz
Final Labours 11. Golden Apples of the Hesperides Guarded on Mt. Atlas On his way, Heracles freed Prometheus Eurystheus gave the apples back to Heracles, he gave them to Athena 12. Bring Cerberus from Hades Rescued Theseus on the way Wrestled the dog and brought him up Returned the dog afterwards
Mt Atlas Mt Atlas
Hercules rescuing Prometheus Christian Griepenkerl
Mt. Caucasus
Taenarum
Heracles presents Cerberus
Mt. Atlas
Heracles and the Olympic Games Diodorus (iv.14): Heracles founded the Olympics after Labour 7, the Cretan Bull. Apollodorus (ii.7.2): Founded the Games after his conquest of Troy and the war between the gods and the Giants. Pausanias
Guilt of Heracles Heracles gave Megara to Iolaus Heracles had won Iole, daughter of Eurytus in a contest: Her father forbade the marriage Iphitus defended Heracles Heracles later killed Iphitus Sought purification
Guilt of Heracles Purification: Delphi Didn t get an answer so he attacked Delphi Apollo attacked Heracles Zeus intervened Heracles ordered to be sold as a slave and serve for three years Bought by Omphale, princess of Lydia
Heracles and Omphale Giovanni Francesco Romanelli (1650s)
Heracles at Troy ii Sailed with 18 ships Besieged and captured Troy Laomedon killed Hesione given to Telamon Hesione ransomed her brother, Podarces Podarces became known an Priam (the one who was bought )
Heracles and Deianira Married Deinaria, daughter of Oeneus Jealousy: Heracles returned to capture Iole Deinaria was jealous of Iole She poisoned Heracles and killed herself
Apotheosis of Heracles Heracles, ill from the poison, went to Mt. Oeta in Trachis Built his own pyre Before the body burned, a cloud took Heracles to heaven
Apotheosis of Heracles with Athena taking him to heaven
Athena presenting Heracles to Zeus
Apotheosis of Heracles Francois Lemoyne (?)
The Heraclidae Heracles left 66 sons After he died they fled Mycenae Eurystheus wanted them killed The Heraclidae fled to Athens Defeated Eurystheus in the war Were defeated attempting to conquer the Peloponnese It would be three generations before they return