Prometheus had advised the hero not to attempt himself to make the robbery of the golden fruit, but to send Atlas on the errand. Near him grew the tree which bore the golden apples of the Hesperides. With many adventures the hero continued his way, set free, as has been told elsewhere, Prometheus, the Titan, who was bound to the Caucasus Mountains, and came at last to the place where Atlas stood carrying the weight of the heavens on his shoulders. But he broke the chains which bound him, and killed Busiris and his son and the priestly herald. So Hercules was seized and placed on the altar of Jupiter. Later he found great pleasure in the custom and killed all strangers who came to Egypt. In gratitude Busiris made a beginning with the priest himself. To him during the period of a nine-year famine a prophet had borne the oracular message that the land would again bear fruit if a stranger were sacrificed once a year to Jupiter. Over the latter land ruled Busiris, the son of Neptune and Lysianassa. Informed of this, he went on his way toward Libya and Egypt. Hercules would not let him go until he had learned in what locality he could find the golden apples of the Hesperides. Hercules followed this advice and became master of the river god, although the latter, according to his custom, assumed many different forms. Surprise him while he sleeps and bind him then he will be forced to tell you the right way." "Go to the old river god Nereus," was their answer. Then Hercules continued his way through Illyria, hastened over the river Eridanus, and came to the nymphs of Jupiter and Themis, who dwelt on the banks of the stream. But Jupiter did not wish that his sons should shed blood, and sent his lightning bolt to separate the two. Then appeared Mars, the god of war, himself, to avenge the death of his son and Hercules was forced to fight with him. He, when asked concerning the garden of the Hesperides, instead of answering, challenged the wanderer to a duel, and was beaten by Hercules. He went first to Thessaly, where dwelt the giant Termerus, who with his skull knocked to death every traveler that he met but on the mighty cranium of Hercules the head of the giant himself was split open.įarther on the hero came upon another monster in his way Cycnus, the son of Mars and Pyrene. The hero set out on his long and adventurous journey and placed himself in the hands of blind chance, for he did not know where the Hesperides dwelt. From this monster, so was the command of Eurystheus, should Hercules seize the golden apples. Sleep came never to the eyes of this dragon and a fearful hissing sound warned one of his presence, for each of his hundred throats had a different voice. So she caused to spring forth on the western borders of the great world-sea a many-branched tree full of golden apples.įour maidens called the Hesperides, daughters of Night, were the guardians of this sacred garden, and with them watched the hundred-headed dragon, Ladon, whose father was Phorkys, the parent of many monsters. The Myth of the Eleventh Labor of Hercules, the Apples of the HesperidesĪt the celebration of the marriage of Jupiter and Juno, when all the gods were bringing their wedding gifts to the happy pair, Mother Earth did not wish to be left out. The mythical story of the Eleventh Labor of Hercules, the Apples of the Hesperides Additional facts and information about the mythology and legends of individual gods and goddesses of these ancient civilizations can be accessed via the following links: The amazing story of the Eleventh Labor of Hercules, the Apples of the Hesperides really is easy reading for kids and children who are learning about the history, myths and legends of the ancients. Discover the myths about the ancient gods, goddesses, demigods and heroes and the terrifying monsters and creatures they encountered on their perilous journeys and quests. The short mythical story of the Eleventh Labor of Hercules, the Apples of the Hesperides is one of the famous legends about Hercules, also referred to as Heracles, that feature in the mythology of ancient civilizations. Read about the myth story of the Eleventh Labor of Hercules, the Apples of the HesperidesĮleventh Labor of Hercules, the Apples of the Hesperides The Eleventh Labor of Hercules, the Apples of the Hesperides
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