The Twelve Labors of Hercules Read online

  “That is a good reason,” she said. “And did you think I would give you the belt?”

  “I have not thought of how I would get it,” he said. “You asked me why I was here and I told you.”

  “You are as truthful as you appear to be strong,” she said. “It would not be right for me to give it to you, for it is not mine alone but belongs to all the Amazons. It was given by Ares, the god of war, to the nymph Harmonia, from whom we are all descended, and it has been worn ever since by the queen. However, I will make a bargain with you. I will wrestle with you, and if you defeat me, you may have it.”

  Now Hippolyte had fallen in love with Hercules as soon as she saw him, and she would have been happy to give him the belt as a love gift. But fearing what the Amazons might say and do, she suggested the contest so that when she lost she could claim it was the will of the gods.

  “I cannot wrestle with a woman,” said Hercules.

  “Why?” she asked. “Are you afraid I will beat you?”

  This was very much what Copreus had said, and remembering his answer, Hercules said, “No, I am not afraid of that. I have never fought with a woman before. But if that is the only way I can win the golden belt, I will do so now.”

  “Very well,” said Hippolyte. “Have your men prepare the wrestling ground.”

  While the Greeks trampled down the sand of the beach, packing it hard for wrestling, Hippolyte retired a short distance with her bodyguard. Her warriors surrounded her, hiding her from the view of Hercules and his companions, and there was much whispering and some laughter.

  “She must know that she cannot stand against you,” said Iphicles. “They are planning some kind of trick.”

  “I think so too,” said Hercules. “We will have to see what it is.”

  When Hippolyte came forward for the wrestling she was not wearing the golden belt—she had taken it off and given it to the captain of her bodyguard to hold—and her bare limbs gleamed. She approached Hercules and he tried to seize her, but she slipped from his grasp with ease. When she had gone off with her warriors she had had them rub her body with bear grease, and she was now as slippery as an eel. Again and again Hercules grasped her, trying for a hold, but each time she slipped away from him. The Amazons and even the Greeks were laughing now, for it seemed a great jest to them that Hercules, for all his strength, could do nothing with her. Then suddenly Hercules changed his tactics. Instead of trying for a hold on her body he took her by her hair, twisting his fingers in it until he had a firm grip. Then, taking her by the ankles with his other hand, he lifted her easily and set her down on her back.

  “Well done, Hercules,” she whispered.

  “Do you admit that you have been beaten?”

  “I do,” she said, rising to her feet again. “I will not give you the belt now, but I will tonight. You and your men must come to our camp for a feast, and afterward you shall have it.”

  “As you say, O queen,” replied Hercules.

  “Again I am not sure I trust her,” said Iphicles when the Amazons had left.

  “This time I do not agree with you,” said Hercules. “I think she means to give me the golden belt. But in any case we shall go to the feast armed.”

  At dusk Hercules and his companions went to the Amazons’ camp, where Hippolyte greeted them and led them to the royal tent. She seated Hercules at her right hand, and slaves served them food and wine. When they had eaten their fill Hercules said, “You have been most hospitable, Hippolyte. But it is growing late. Now may I have the belt?”

  “I promised it to you and you shall have it,” said Hippolyte. “But the reason I asked you to come here tonight was to tell you that, if you like, you can have more than the belt.”

  “What do you mean?” asked Hercules.

  “While we have no men among us, it is not because we do not like men, but only that there are none in these parts who are our equals as warriors. You are certainly that, and many of those in my bodyguard look favorably on your companions. What I propose is that you stay here with us. If you will do so and marry me, you shall rule the Amazons with me and your companions shall be given high rank among us.”

  “I am greatly honored by your proposal,” said Hercules, “but I am afraid it is impossible. I still have three labors to perform, and in any case I could not marry you because I am betrothed to another.”

  “But need you return to Greece at once?” asked Hippolyte. “Can you not at least stay here with us for a while?”

  Now Hera, who had always hated Hercules, had been watching what was happening there on the shores of the Black Sea. When she saw how easily Hercules was accomplishing this labor she became angrier than ever. Taking the shape of an Amazon, she went about among the warrior-women telling them that Hercules had not come there only for the belt, but that he planned to abduct their queen and take her back to Greece with him.

  Before Hercules could answer Hippolyte, her bodyguard came bursting into the tent, shouting, “Fear not, Hippolyte! We will save you!”

  “Save me from what?” she asked.

  “From these Greek schemers,” said the captain of her guard, and raising her bow, she loosed an arrow at Hercules. But as she did so, Hippolyte threw herself in front of him, taking the arrow in her own breast and falling to the ground dying.

  With a roar Hercules leaped over the table, his club in his hand, and slew the Amazon who had mortally wounded the queen. His companions drew their swords and for a few moments there was a fierce battle. But though the Amazons far outnumbered the Greeks, they were no match for them, especially with a raging Hercules leading them, and they soon broke and fled.

  Returning to the tent, Hercules knelt beside Hippolyte. She had unfastened her belt, and holding it out to him she said, “Here, Hercules. When I said you could have more than my belt, I meant you could have my love. But you may have my life too.” And then she died.

  The next morning Hercules and his companions buried the Amazon queen, sacrificing many bulls in her honor, and then set sail for Greece. When they arrived, Hercules gave the belt to Eurystheus, but he gave it to him with a heavy heart. For he knew that Eurystheus would in turn give it to his daughter, and it did not seem right to him that anyone less brave and less noble than Hippolyte should wear it.

  13

  THE TENTH LABOR: THE CATTLE OF GERYON

  “Whose cattle,” asked Copreus when Hercules next appeared at Mycenae, “are the most famous and beautiful in the world?”

  “It was my understanding that I was to perform twelve tasks that your master would set for me,” said Hercules. “Nothing was said about my answering questions for him.”

  “The question concerns your next task,” said Copreus. “Since you have traveled far more widely than most men, the High King thought you would know the answer. If you do not, I will tell you.”

  “Of course I know the answer,” said Hercules. “You must mean the cattle of Geryon.”

  “You are right,” said Copreus. “You accomplished your last labor very easily, since Queen Hippolyte gave you her belt when you asked for it. This time you are to get Geryon’s cattle without either asking for them or paying for them and bring them back here to the High King.”

  Hercules grimaced unhappily. Apart from its other difficulties, this task, too, involved a long journey. But since the sooner he began the sooner he would return, he set off at once.

  Geryon was the King of Tartessus in Spain. He was descended from the Titan Oceanus and had been born with three heads, six hands, and three bodies joined together at the waist. And since each of his bodies was more powerful than that of an ordinary mortal, he was said to be the strongest man in the world. His cattle were large, red, and very beautiful. They were guarded by Eurytion, a son of Ares, and by a huge watchdog.

  Though Hercules could have gone to Spain by ship, he knew he would have to bring the cattle back by land, and he decided to journey there that way to search out the best route for his return. He went north to Istria and t
hen west through the Alps and along the coast through the southern part of Gaul, slaying bandits and other evildoers he chanced to meet and making the way safe for other travelers. He crossed the Pyrenees and went south again until he reached the mountain slopes facing Africa where the cattle grazed.

  As he approached, the watchdog scented him, barked loudly, and came bounding down toward him. The dog was a shaggy creature, as large and fierce as a lion. With a growl it leaped for his throat, but swinging his club deftly, Hercules killed it with a single blow. Eurytion, Geryon’s herdsman, had been resting in the shade of a rock, but the dog’s barking roused him, and seeing Hercules he came running toward him also. Like Hercules he carried a huge club, and raising it high he struck a mighty blow at Hercules. Hercules dodged the blow, struck in his turn, and Eurytion fell lifeless to the ground.

  Hercules began rounding up the cattle. Though larger than other cattle, the beasts were docile, and they began moving off down the mountain ahead of Hercules. But there were other herdsmen on the hills nearby. They sent word of what was happening to Geryon, and when Hercules reached the level plain below, Geryon himself appeared.

  “Hold, stranger!” he shouted. “If you want my cattle you must fight for them.”

  Hercules turned, prepared to do battle. Geryon strode toward him brandishing three spears, one in the right hand of each of his bodies. With sudden and surprising speed he threw all three at Hercules. But quick as Geryon was, Hercules was not taken by surprise. He threw himself down and the spears whistled over his head. Next, as Geryon drew three swords, Hercules whipped an arrow from his quiver, loosed it, then let fly a second and a third, shooting so rapidly that all three were in the air at the same time. All the arrows flew true, each striking Geryon in one of his hearts, and his shade joined that of his herdsmen in the Underworld.

  Now Hercules began the long journey back to Mycenae. Following the route he had taken on his way to Tartessus, he drove the cattle through a pass in the Pyrenees and then along the coast through southern Gaul. Since the cattle were so beautiful and he was alone, almost every day Hercules had to fight off those who would steal the cattle from him. But the greatest peril he faced came now as he was driving the cattle through Liguria in the north of Italy.

  Word had come to the King of Liguria that a herd of magnificent cattle, larger and more beautiful than any that had ever been seen before, were being driven through his country, and he decided that he must have them. But since he was also told that it was Hercules who drove the cattle, he took with him a war party of several hundred of his bravest warriors.

  When Hercules saw the king and his men marching toward him across the plain he knew why they had come, and he took up his position between them and the cattle.

  “Greetings, Hercules,” said the king. “From the way you frown I think you must know why we are here.”

  “I do, O king,” said Hercules. “And I warn you that you will be no more successful than any of the others who have tried to take these cattle from me.”

  “I do not know about the others, but I do not think that even you will be able to stop us. And since no cattle, not even these, are worth your life, I urge you not to try.”

  “I fear not for my life,” said Hercules, “but I fear for yours. For if you attack me Liguria will need a new king, and there are few of those who are with you who will not leave their bones here.”

  “You are as brave as I have heard you were,” said the king. “At least you talk bravely. Now we will see how you fight and how you die.” And drawing his sword, he signaled his men to advance.

  Hercules had strung his bow and laid his quiver on the ground before him. As the Ligurians came toward him, he began shooting. His first arrow was aimed at the king, and though the king had raised his shield to protect himself, the arrow pierced his shield and his brass breastplate, and he fell dead where he stood. Arrow after arrow Hercules loosed, and so deadly was his aim that the Ligurians hesitated and finally drew back.

  But now Hercules was in a serious plight. For all his arrows were gone, and though he still had his club he knew that if the Ligurians closed with him he could not stand for long against them. He looked about him for anything that he could use to hold them off, but the plain was sandy and there were not even stones in sight.

  The king’s brother now took command, and seeing that Hercules had no more arrows left, he rallied the Ligurians and ordered them to attack again.

  As they formed a battle line and came toward him, determined to avenge the death of their king, Hercules raised his eyes and called on Zeus, saying, “Father Zeus, though you have shown me your favor and been my friend many times in the past, I have never asked you for help. But I do so now, for I have never needed it more. Aid me and if I live I shall sacrifice the finest of these cattle to you.”

  Immediately the sky darkened, thunder rumbled, and there fell from the clouds overhead—not rain—but a shower of stones. They fell on the Ligurians, striking many of them dead. With a shout Hercules ran forward, and picking up the stones began hurling them at the Ligurians. His aim with these was as deadly as it had been when he loosed his arrows. This shower of stones, from above and from the hand of Hercules, was too much for the Ligurians, and they turned and fled, leaving most of their number lying dead on the plain.

  True to his promise, Hercules built a fire, selected the finest bull in the herd, and sacrificed it as an offering of thanks to Zeus. After his sacrifice Hercules continued on his way. And though the road was often difficult, and many times he had to fight off men who would take the cattle from him, he was never again in such danger as he had been on the plain in Liguria. In the end he drove the cattle to the gates of Mycenae, thus completing the tenth of his labors.

  14

  THE ELEVENTH LABOR: THE APPLES OF THE HESPERIDES

  It was now more than eight years since Hercules had begun his labors, and in that time his brother, Iphicles, had had several children. Megara, of course, loved these young nieces and nephews of hers and often helped her sister care for them. But on this sunny morning—the morning of the day Hercules was to leave Thebes again for Mycenae—her eyes were dark and sad as she looked at the children. For Hercules was playing with them, tossing the boys high in the air and holding the girls on his knees. Glancing at Megara, Hercules put the children by and came over to her, taking her hand in his.

  “You know what is in my mind,” she said.

  “How should I not know when it is in my mind too?” he said. “You were wishing that these children were ours.” And when she nodded: “I know how hard this has been for you, Megara. But it has been hard for me too. Be patient but a little while longer and we shall have that which we both want so much—as many children as these: tall, strong sons and daughters who will be as beautiful as you are.”

  “I sometimes fear that the gods are jealous of us and that your labors will never end,” she said with a sigh. “But I will try to be patient.” And she smiled bravely as she said farewell to him.

  When Hercules arrived at Mycenae he could tell from the way Eurystheus looked at him that he felt he had finally thought of a labor that would be beyond even his powers. He greeted Hercules and then watched as his herald said, “Your next task, noble Hercules, will be to get and bring back here to the High King some of the golden apples of the Hesperides.”

  Hercules now knew why the king had looked at him that way. For while most of the Greeks had heard of the apples of the Hesperides—golden apples growing on a golden tree, the wedding gift of Mother Earth to the goddess Hera—no one knew where they were to be found. But still unwilling to give Eurystheus even a moment’s satisfaction, Hercules hid his concern. Instead he nodded casually to the High King and set off as if this labor were no more difficult than any of the others.

  He had gone but a short distance when he came on the old crone whom he now knew to be the goddess Athene.

  “Greetings, Hercules,” she said. “Where are you off to now?”

  �
�I do not know,” he confessed. “My task this time is to bring back some of the apples of the Hesperides.”

  “Ah,” she said. “That would not be easy even if you knew where they were. If I were you, I would ask the sea-god Nereus about it.”

  “And where shall I find him?”

  “At the mouth of the river Po.”

  Though Hercules suspected that if she wished she could herself tell him where he would find the apples, he thanked her and set off along much the same road he had taken with the cattle of Geryon.

  When he reached the mouth of the river Po, the river nymphs showed Hercules where Nereus lay asleep, and creeping toward him quietly, he seized the white-haired old sea-god.

  Like all sea-gods, Nereus could assume any shape he wished. Now, though taken by surprise, he changed himself first into a lion and then into a serpent, a panther, a boar, running water, and a tall, leafy tree. But Hercules held on to him grimly through all these transformations. Finally Nereus became himself again and said with grudging admiration, “It seems that, among other things, you are stubborn and steadfast. I assume you wish to ask me something. What is it you want to know?”

  “I would like you to tell me where I can find the apples of the Hesperides and how I can get them.”

  “I can tell you where they are,” said Nereus. “They are in a walled garden on the slopes of the mountains that face the sea far to the west.”

  “I have been to the far west,” said Hercules. “To Tartessus.”

  “The garden of the Hesperides is farther west than that,” said Nereus. “It is across the strait that separates Spain from Africa. It is so far west that the chariot-horses of the sun end their daily journey and take a rest there until they must begin it again. But though reaching the garden will be difficult, it will be far easier than getting the apples. For they are watched by the dragon Ladon who never sleeps.”