The Labours of Herakles

One hero stands both literally and metaphorically head and shoulders above all the others: Herakles (Hercules in Latin). Yet he can be a difficult character to pin down: he certainly lives up to his stereotyped image as a mighty performer of astonishing feats, yet he can also appear at the heart of Greek tragedies, take the stage as a gluttonous comic buffoon or be a philosophical role model. His heroism finally wins him the ultimate prize, since his accomplishments lead to immortality.

Herakles - Before the Labours

Apollodoros relates a strange chronology and geneology. During the reign of the King of Mycenae, Elektryon the six sons of Pterelaos claimed the nearby kingdon of Tiryns. Likymnios was the sole surviving son of Elektryon who swore revenge on the sons and entrusted his daughter Alkmena and his kingdom to Amphitryon. He died and his brother Sthenelos used the pretext to take over the throne and banish Amphitryon who took refuge with Alkmena and Likynnios with Kreon at Thebes.

After ridding Thebes of a giant Vixen, Amphitryon sails to Taphos to ravage them. But Poseidon had made Pterelaos immortal by putting gold in his hair and while he was alive Taphos could not be taken. His daughter Komaitho falls in love with Amphitryon and takes out her father's golden hair and he dies. Despite her help Amphitryon executes her for treason.

Before Amphitryon returns, Zeus assumes the likeness of Amphitryon and sleeps with Alkmena. When Amphitryon actually returns there is confusion and Teiresias has to reveal the truth. Twon sons are born of Alkmena. Ipphikles by Amphitryon and Herakles by Zeus. Zeus declared that this decendent of Perseus would reign over Mycenae. This irritaed Hera who tied to postpone the birth and persuaded Eileityiai,the goddess of childbirth to bring forward the birth Sthenelos' son Eurystheus

Herakles first major event was when he strangled tow serpents aged one. Later when Linos brother of Orpheus chastised Herakles, he killed him with his lyre. At 18 he was nearly 7 foor tall.

Feats of Herakles

He slays the lion of Kithairon 9his attributes include him wearing lionskin) and a thankful Thespios King of Thespiai and wife Megamede gives him 50 daughters on 50 nights (though he thinks its the same daughter every night). These daughters have sons.

At this time there is an event called the Choice of Herakles At a road junction he is met by vice who offers him an easy path of pleasure, and virtue who offers him a hard road of duty. He chooses the path of virtue.

On his way back he cuts the noses, hands and ears of heralds belonging to Erginos. He is incensed, marches on Thebes but Herakles kills him with a weapon given to him by Athena. As a reward Kreon gives him his daughter Megara and his given a sword by Hermes, bows and arrows by Apollo and a cloak from Athena.

Hera is still angry and drives Herakles mad and he throws Megara's children and others into a fire. He recovers his sanity and see the Delphic Oracle. Up until now he had been called Alkaios. The Oracle renames him Herakles (Hera's Glory) and told him to go to Tiryns and serve his uncle Eurystheus for 12 years and perform labours. For this he will become immortal.