Chapter 2 Who Was Hercules?

Hercules, known as Heracles in Greek mythology, is one of the most renowned heroes in ancient mythology. He is celebrated for his incredible strength, bravery, and numerous far-reaching adventures.

2.1 Origins and Birth

  1. Divine Parentage:
    • Hercules was born to Zeus, the king of the gods, and Alcmene, a mortal woman. This divine parentage bestowed upon him extraordinary strength and abilities.
    • His birth was complicated by jealousy; Hera, Zeus’s wife, was envious and sought to make Hercules’ life difficult from the outset.
  2. Early Life:
    • Even as an infant, Hercules demonstrated his prodigious strength by strangling two serpents sent by Hera to kill him in his crib.

2.2 The Twelve Labors (Tradition)

  1. The Catalyst:
    • Driven mad by Hera, Hercules tragically killed his own wife and children. In seeking redemption, he consulted the Oracle of Delphi, who instructed him to serve King Eurystheus for twelve years and undertake twelve seemingly impossible tasks, known as the Twelve Labors.
  2. The Twelve Tasks:
    • Slay the Nemean Lion: A lion with impenetrable skin, which he ultimately killed using his immense strength.
    • Slay the nine-headed Lernaean Hydra: A serpent-like creature; Hercules burnt the stumps of the heads to prevent them from regenerating.
    • Capture the Golden Hind of Artemis: A sacred deer; he captured it after a year-long chase.
    • Capture the Erymanthian Boar: A giant boar that he drove into deep snow before capturing.
    • Clean the Augean Stables: Stables housing vast herds, which he cleaned by rerouting rivers through them.
    • Slay the Stymphalian Birds: Man-eating birds, which he scared away with a rattle and then shot down.
    • Capture the Cretan Bull: A bull that was terrorizing Crete, which he subdued and brought back.
    • Steal the Mares of Diomedes: Man-eating horses, which he tamed and brought back.
    • Obtain the Girdle of Hippolyta: The belt of the Amazonian queen, which he secured through combat or negotiation.
    • Capture the Cattle of Geryon: Cattle guarded by a three-bodied giant, which he defeated to take the cattle.
    • Steal the Apples of the Hesperides: Golden apples guarded by a dragon; Hercules enlisted Atlas to help retrieve them.
    • Capture and bring back Cerberus: The three-headed dog guarding the underworld, which he captured without using weapons.

2.3 The Twelve Labors (Bailey)

According to Alice A. Bailey’s Lucis Trust - The Labours of Hercules, the twelve labors undertaken by Hercules are as follows:

  1. The Capture of the Man-Eating Mares:
    • Hercules was tasked with capturing the wild and dangerous mares of Diomedes that were known to devour humans.
  2. The Capture of the Cretan Bull:
    • Hercules captured the powerful bull from Crete that had been causing destruction.
  3. The Golden Apples of the Hesperides:
    • This labor involved obtaining the golden apples from the garden of the Hesperides, which were guarded by a dragon. Hercules enlisted Atlas to help retrieve them.
  4. The Capture of the Doe or Hind:
    • This labor required Hercules to capture the sacred and elusive Ceryneian Hind, a deer belonging to the goddess Artemis, without harming it.
  5. The Slaying of the Nemean Lion:
    • Hercules had to kill the invulnerable Nemean Lion and wear its hide as armor.
  6. Seizing the Girdle of Hippolyte:
    • Hercules was sent to obtain the girdle (belt) of Hippolyte, the queen of the Amazons, either through combat or negotiation.
  7. The Capture of the Erymanthian Boar:
    • Hercules’ task was to capture the formidable Erymanthian Boar alive and bring it back.
  8. Destroying the Lernaean Hydra:
    • Hercules had to kill the multi-headed serpent Hydra, which would regrow two heads for every one cut off. He ultimately succeeded by burning the stumps to prevent regeneration.
  9. Killing the Stymphalian Birds:
    • He had to defeat the large number of man-eating birds with metallic feathers that terrorized the region around Lake Stymphalia.
  10. The Slaying of Cerberus, Guardian of Hades:
    • Hercules was tasked with capturing Cerberus, the three-headed dog guarding the entrance to the underworld, and bringing him back alive without using any weapons.
  11. Cleansing the Augean Stables:
    • Hercules had to clean the incredibly filthy stables of King Augeas, which housed vast herds, in a single day. He accomplished this by rerouting rivers through the stables.
  12. The Capture of the Red Cattle of Geryon:
    • Hercules had to travel to Erytheia to capture the herd of red cattle owned by the monster Geryon, who had three bodies.

2.4 Later Adventures and Legacy

  1. Other Exploits:
    • Beyond the Twelve Labors, Hercules participated in many other adventures. He joined the Argonauts in their quest for the Golden Fleece and took part in the Gigantomachy, a battle between gods and giants.
    • His exploits made him a symbol of heroic strength and endurance.
  2. Deification:
    • Hercules’ life was fraught with challenges, but his perseverance and achievements ultimately led to his deification. Upon his death, he was granted immortality and ascended to Mount Olympus. He reconciled with Hera and married Hebe, the goddess of youth.

2.5 Cultural Impact

  1. Mythological Symbol:
    • Hercules became a symbol of human resilience against overwhelming odds. His stories were used to illustrate virtues such as courage, perseverance, and ingenuity.
  2. Art and Literature:
    • His legend has been a rich source of inspiration across various art forms, including sculpture, painting, literature, and film. Ancient and modern works alike explore his labors and adventures, often highlighting his human flaws and heroic qualities.
  3. Modern References:
    • Hercules remains a popular figure in contemporary culture. His name is synonymous with tasks that require great effort and strength, referred to as “Herculean tasks.”

Hercules, or Heracles, stands as one of the most enduring figures in classical mythology. His remarkable feats, encapsulated in the Twelve Labors, and his countless other adventures have cemented his status as a paragon of strength and heroism. His life story, marked by divine origin, human failings, and ultimate triumph, continues to inspire and captivate audiences around the world.