Greek mythology is replete with various legends. Each of them is a fascinating story about the courage and resourcefulness of the heroes. One of these legends is the myth of Hercules. Greek mythology describes the whole life path of the hero, without leaving a single detail without attention.
Birth of a Hero
Courage, masculinity and compassion - that's what the myth tells. The birth of Hercules, the son of a mere mortal Alcmene and the great Zeus, was not part of Hera's plans. She delayed the birth of the queen and hastened the birth of Eurystheus, who was the great-grandson of Zeus. And, according to the promise given by the great god, Eurystheus gets power over the Peloponnese. Hera sent two snakes to the kids of Alcmene. But the incredible strength of Hercules manifested itself. The baby strangled them.
According to another legend that tells of the emergence of the Milky Way, Hera was tricked into breastfeeding Hercules. But he sucked so hard that she was forced to throw him away, and the drops of milk turned into the Milky Way.
The myth of Hercules says that Autolycus, Eurytus, Castor and the wise centaur Chiron were engaged in the upbringing of the young hero. They arethey taught the young man wrestling, playing the kithara and archery. But after the incident with Lin, who decided to punish him for his disobedience, Hercules was banished to Mount Cithaeron.
The Twelve Labors of Hercules
Myths and legends about Hercules give different versions of the hero's exploits. According to one of them, he went to serve Eurystheus after killing his children in a mad fit. Other versions say that Hera sent madness to Hercules after he completed 12 labors. After that, the hero went into slavery to the Lydian queen Omphale. The latest version is more common in the literature.
After the liberation of the environs of Kithaeron from the terrible lion that devastated everything around, Hercules, on the advice of the oracle, goes to serve Eurystheus. During the twelve years of service to the king, he had to perform ten feats. The cunning ruler did not count some of the hero's deeds.
The first feat of Hercules is considered to be the extraction of the skin of the Nemean lion, which was invulnerable. The hero strangled the beast, and made himself a cape out of his "fur coat".
In the next feat, the hero was helped by his nephew Iolaus, because of which he was not counted. Hercules and Iolaus destroyed the Lernean hydra with nine heads, one of which was immortal. The huge cancer Karkin prevented her from killing her. He grabbed the hero's leg. Iolaus burned the hydra's wounds with fire, which served as an obstacle to the appearance of new heads.
The myth of Hercules also tells of other deeds of the demigod. These include:
- capturing a magic doe with goldhorns;
- obtaining the Erymanthian boar;
- destruction of Stymphalian birds that feed on humans;
- cleaning out the Augean stables;
- Capture of the Cretan Bull.
The last feat was the way to the realm of the dead for Cerberus, which then had to be returned back.
The last days of the hero's life
After many trials, Hercules married Diyanira. She, out of jealousy for the captive brought by her husband, soaked his clothes with the poisonous blood of a centaur. When he put it on, she immediately adhered to the body and began to slowly kill the hero. According to legend, Hercules gained immortality and joined the gods on Mount Eta. After ascending to Olympus, he married the daughter of Hera and Zeus.
The myth of Hercules and the trials that befell him is popular to this day and is reflected in films and theatrical productions.
