Labors of Herakles

The twelve Labors forced upon Herakles (Heracles) by his cousin, Eurystheus.

Herakles was the son of Zeus and Alkmene (Alcmene); Zeus’ infidelity to his wife, Hera, prompted her to punish and harass Herakles throughout his life; Zeus promised Hera that the next son born in the lineage of Perseus would be the ruler of Argos; Zeus intended that son to be Herakles but Hera used her influence on the goddess of childbirth, Eileithyia (Eilithyia), to delay Alkmene’s labor and Eurystheus, Herakles’ cousin, was born first and thus became the ruler of Argos.

Herakles was enslaved to Eurystheus for twelve years and during that time he was required to perform twelve Labors; the Labors were variously recorded in ancient artwork but the actual numbering of the Labors is attributed to the Greek grammarian, Apollodorus Dysklus (circa 140 BCE).

The Twelve Labors were:

1. 1)The Killing the Lion of Nemea;
2. Killing the Hydra;
3. Capturing the Keryneian (Ceryneian) Hind;
4. Capturing the Boar of Mount Erymanthus;
5. Cleaning the Stables of Augeas;
6. Killing the Stymphalosian Birds;
7. Capturing the Kretan (Cretan) Bull;
8. Capturing the Mares of Diomedes;
9. Retrieving the Belt of Hippolyte;
10. Taking the Cattle of Geryon;
11. Retrieving the Golden Apples of the Hesperides and
12. Bringing Kerberos (Cerberus) from the Underworld.

For more detailed information on the Labors of Herakles I suggest that you consult the Immortals section of this site.