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Heracles Labors were done in service to his cousin, King Eurystheus of Mycenae
Eurystheus was the one who assigned him his 12 labors that he is famous for
His heroic acts were not of benevolence, but to SUFFER & be forced to serve an INFERIOR man as atonement
Eurystheus was the one who assigned him his 12 labors that he is famous for
His heroic acts were not of benevolence, but to SUFFER & be forced to serve an INFERIOR man as atonement
Hercules was driven made by Hera and murdered his children (and wife in some tellings)
In Euripides telling, he contemplated suicide, but was dissuaded from doing so by Theseus
He asks the god Apollo for guidance, who instructs him to see the Oracle of Delphi....
In Euripides telling, he contemplated suicide, but was dissuaded from doing so by Theseus
He asks the god Apollo for guidance, who instructs him to see the Oracle of Delphi....
It is the Oracle who says he may atone for his sins by serving his cousin Eurystheus
Eurystheus is an inferior man to Heracles, and Heracles is disgusted at the idea, but he does not want to anger his father (Zeus) & defy divine guidance
His cousin is delighted to torment him
Eurystheus is an inferior man to Heracles, and Heracles is disgusted at the idea, but he does not want to anger his father (Zeus) & defy divine guidance
His cousin is delighted to torment him
His 12 Labors on the surface are examples of his immense physical strength and power...but a more thoughtful analysis shows a level of intelligence and problem solving that is rarely appreciated
He kills the Nemean Lion by trapping it within its own cave, and then clubbing it
He kills the Nemean Lion by trapping it within its own cave, and then clubbing it
The Hydra he stopped by cauterizing all of its decapitated heads, and then beheaded and crushed and encapsulated its immortal head under stones
In an alternate tellings, he cauterized the Hydra with its own venom
In an alternate tellings, he cauterized the Hydra with its own venom
The Deer of Artemis he chased for a year, but it was too fast to be caught on foot,
Solution?
He netted it while it was asleep, bound it, and then carried it back (he promised Artemis he would return the deer and she agreed and appreciated him asking for permission)
Solution?
He netted it while it was asleep, bound it, and then carried it back (he promised Artemis he would return the deer and she agreed and appreciated him asking for permission)
The Erymanthian Boar, he consults with Chiron on how best to capture it
-camaraderie and brotherhood is a common theme with Heracles, when he needs help, he does not hesitate to ask
He captures it by driving it into deep snow, where it eventually exhausts itself
-camaraderie and brotherhood is a common theme with Heracles, when he needs help, he does not hesitate to ask
He captures it by driving it into deep snow, where it eventually exhausts itself
A Common theme emerges throughout the labors
He does not use brute force, because he is not a brute. He's intelligent
Each labor is approached as a problem to solve, and what would be the most direct way of doing so
Even when the acts are God-like, they are still pragmatic
He does not use brute force, because he is not a brute. He's intelligent
Each labor is approached as a problem to solve, and what would be the most direct way of doing so
Even when the acts are God-like, they are still pragmatic
His 5th task was intended to be denigrating and demeaning
He had to clean the stables of King Augeas, who had over 1,000 immortal cattle
The stables had never been cleaned EVER,
Heracles diverted the course of two rivers to wash away the dung
He had to clean the stables of King Augeas, who had over 1,000 immortal cattle
The stables had never been cleaned EVER,
Heracles diverted the course of two rivers to wash away the dung
He negotiated with the King for 1/10th of his cattle if he could complete the task
The King reneged on his bargain, Heracles killed him
Unfortunately, he was not given credit for this labor, as his bastard cousin King Eurystheus argued he'd been paid and the water did the work
The King reneged on his bargain, Heracles killed him
Unfortunately, he was not given credit for this labor, as his bastard cousin King Eurystheus argued he'd been paid and the water did the work
