"Apples of the Hesperides": a brief summary of the myth

Ancient literature includes many tales of heroes and their adventures, of their battles and wanderings, of the gods who helped the man, they remained indifferent to cruelty. One of these heroes is Hercules - the legendary son of Zeus Thunderer and the earthly woman Alcmene. But he was glorified not by his divine origin, but by his deeds. The exploits of Hercules (the apples of the Hesperides - the twelfth and last of the account) are stories about the incredible difficulties that the hero had to overcome. But first things first.

A bit of prehistory

The myth "Apples of the Hesperides" (a brief summary of it is given below) tells of one of the most difficult feats of the ancient hero. But before you tell about its essence, you should tell about the character. Hercules was the son of Zeus and the earthly woman. Before the birth of the boy, Thunderbolt prophesied to him power over the whole world. But the jealous Hera, the wife of God, did not like it. By cunning and cunning, she did so that Hercules went into exile and was forced to serve King Eurystheus, a cowardly and cowardly man. Being afraid of a relative, the ruler sent him to perform ridiculous tasks, hoping that he would not return back. But every time Hercules returned victorious.

New assignment

The myth "Apples of the Hesperides", the brief content of which we will consider, begins with the fact that the king summons the hero to himself immediately upon his return. This time he sends Hercules to the edge of the earth, where no one knew the way. Eurystheus ordered this time to bring him golden apples from the treasured garden. In the garden, where the daughters of the titan Atlanta looked, a tree grew up and was given to Gera on the day of her wedding with Zeus. Fruits from him could not be torn to any mortal, and even to enter the garden was forbidden. The hero had nowhere to go: he is again going on a long journey to fulfill the assignment.

The myth "Apples of the Hesperides" tells that Hercules first had to find the way to the coveted garden. Whom he asked, but no one, no wisest old men, no half-life, could not know this. Forest nymphs advised the hero to ask the sea god Nereus. Catching him sleepy on the shore and holding it in his hands (God resisted and tried to escape), Zeus's son found out the way. Without delay, he leaves north.

"Apples of the Hesperides": summary

Finally, Hercules reached the end of the world, where an unusual apple tree grew. In the place where the Eridan River flowed, stood Atlant and held on his shoulders a firmament. After greeting the titan, he told him who he was and why he had come. It turned out that the Hesperides were daughters of the titan, so he volunteered to help Hercules.

Myth "Apples of the Hesperides" tells that Atlant (or Atlas) has shifted the sky to Hercules's shoulders, and himself, spreading his back, went to the garden. For a long time he was gone, the hero's muscles became numb, and sweat poured in his forehead. And only the help of Athena allowed to withstand this burden. Finally, titanium appeared, carrying shiny fruits. He offered to take them to Eurystheus, but Hercules figured out that in this way Atlas was trying to wriggle out of his work. Having resorted to cunning, he returned the sky to the shoulders of Atlanta, picked up the apples and hurried home.

Afterword

The myth "Apples of the Hesperides", the brief content of which we are considering, ends with the return of the hero to Mycenae. However, the king was not at all happy about Hercules and his offering: he did not take apples, but drove the servant away. Hercules also presented the fruits to Athena, and she returned them to the garden of Atlanta daughters.

Having completed the last task of King Eurystheus, Hercules became free. But the glory of him has long been ahead of him. Everyone admired the courage and strength, endurance and ingenuity of the hero, and he himself did not cease to help people.