The exploits of Hercules: from the beginnings to the finale

How much mysterious and unknowable is concealed in Ancient Greece. The exploits of Hercules, committed millennia ago by a demigod man, are still interested in millions of readers. And no one can say for sure whether it's a myth or a reality.

Gods of Ancient Greece

The ancient Greeks professed polytheism. They sacredly believed that all the gods live on Olympus, but sometimes descend into the world of people in human form. Zeus - the supreme god of Olympus - became the father of Hercules, and his mother was Alkmena, an earthly woman of the descendants of Perseus himself. Goddess of the earth Hera jealous of her husband to Alkmena and in every possible way tried to harm her and the child.

Still lying in the cradle, Hercules stood by a hair from death. Hera sent two snakes to him. But Hercules' brother, Alcmene's son, screamed in fear. Then Hercules got up and strangled the vipers. At this the goddess does not end. Years pass by. Hercules marries, he has children. But then Hera sends him an attack of insanity, and he kills his family. Then the hero goes to the Oracle, which invites him to atone for his sin by performing exploits.

The exploits of Hercules

The first in the path of Hercules becomes the Nimesian lion. This is a beast of such strength that no spear or arrow is taken. The demigod lures him into his own lair, deafens him with a club and strangles him. Having removed a skin from an animal, it pulls it on itself and becomes invincible.

Hercules fights the hydra. She destroys people and cattle unjustly, but Hercules could defeat her. Hydra is the nine-headed snake. When a hero chops off one head, two grow in her place. Heracle's nephew helped him, he burned his head with fire, and Hercules cut down the main.

After that, Hercules catches the golden-eared doe, the Erymaphan boar and clears the famous Augean stables (there is still a winged expression, meaning a huge amount of work that is almost impossible to accomplish). Then Hercules tames the ferocious Cretan bull. The god of the seas Poseidon himself presented this animal to King Minos , so that he would sacrifice it. But Minos refused to kill the bull, then Poseidon sent the ferocity and rabies to the bull. This is not all the exploits of Hercules. He takes hold of Ares's belt, tames Diamed's mares. Colorful battle, exciting plot - this is the difference between Hercules's exploits. The book "Twelve feats of Hercules" conveys this vividly.

The Battle with Cerberus

The King of the Peloponnese was unable to destroy Hercules, he passed all 11 trials. The last test remains, perhaps the most daring and terrible. Hercules must go down to hell to deliver the king of three-headed Cerberus. The hero is so strong that he grabs the dog with his bare hands. He brought it to the king, and then released again, so that he would continue to guard the kingdom of Hades.

On this the exploits of Hercules ended, but the adventures took place in his life. Hercules marries Dejanira. Once they swam across the ocean, and a violent centaur wanted to kidnap Hercules' wife. But he managed to shoot him with a poisoned arrow (the tip of it was soaked with the blood of a hydra, once defeated by Hercules). Dying, the Centaur whispered to Deianira that she would collect his blood and soak her husband's clothes - then he would always love her only. Years have passed. Hercules loved another. Obsessed with jealousy, the wife decided to take advice from the centaur. But his blood from the blood hydra and itself turned into poison. Hercules could not take off his agonizing clothes. The tissue came off together with the pieces of skin. Deyanira, having seen what she had done, committed suicide. And Hercules lit a fire and rushed into it, so as not to experience terrible tortures.

For all the exploits of Hercules, the gods of Olympus endow him with immortality.