HHEERRCCUULLEESS

Text from Fabulae Graecae (© Longman Publishing Group)

A Project of the Department of Classics at the Public Latin School of Boston (http://www.bls.org/classics)

12. THE HATRED OF JUNO

HerculƝs, AlcmƝnae fƯlius, quondam in GraeciƗ habitƗbat.

Hic omnium hominum validissimus fuisse dƯcitur.

At Injnǀ, rƝgƯna deǀrum, AlcmƝnam ǀderat,

et Herculem etiam tum Ưnfantem necƗre voluit.

Itaque duƗs serpentƝs saevissimƗs mƯsit;

hae mediƗ nocte in cubiculum AlcmƝnae vƝnƝrunt,

ubi HerculƝs cum frƗtre suǀ dormiƝbat.

Nec tamen in cnjnƯs, sed in scnjtǀ magnǀ cubƗbant.

SerpentƝs iam appropinquƗvƝrunt

et scnjtum movƝbant;

ita puerƯ Ɲ somnǀ excitƗtƯ sunt.

Iuno, regina deorum, quae Alcmenam oderat.

Quaestiones: Who was Alcmena? What was said about Hercules? Quis erat Iuno? Why did Juno want to kill baby Hercules? Quid fecit Iuno? Where did the serpents enter? In quo cubabant Hercules fraterque Iphicles? Quid fecerunt serpentes in cubiculo? What happened to the sleeping boys?

13. HERCULES AND THE SERPENTS

Fresco from Pompeii. The infant Hercules strangles serpents while his parents watch. Jupiter’s eagle hovers above, protectively.

ƮphiclƝs, frƗter Herculis, magnƗ vǀce exclƗmƗvit;

at HerculƝs ipse, fortissimus puer, nullǀ modǀ territus est.

ParvƯs manibus serpentƝs statim prehendit,

et colla eƗrum magnƗ vƯ compressit.

TƗlƯ modǀ serpentƝs Ɨ puerǀ interfectae sunt.

AlcmƝna autem, mƗter puerǀrum, clƗmǀrem audƯverat

et marƯtum suum Ɲ somnǀ excitƗverat.

Ille lnjmen accendit

et gladium suum arripuit;

tum ad puerǀs properƗvit,

sed,

ubi ad locum vƝnit,

rem mƯram vƯdit;

HerculƝs enim rƯdƝbat

et serpentƝs mortuƗs dƝmǀnstrƗbat.

Quaestiones: What did Iphicles do after the serpents moved the shield? Quo modo (How) sunt serpentes interfectae? What did Alcmena do when she heard the shouting? What three things did her husband then do? Quam rem miram vidit ille, ubi in cubiculum venit?

Athena, left, watches over the infant hero Hercules

while Iphicles, his mortal brother, reaches for his mother and father.

14. THE MUSIC-LESSON HerculƝs Ɨ puerǀ corpus suum dƯligenter exercƝbat;

Magnam partem diƝƯ in palaestrƗ cǀnsnjmƝbat.

Didicit etiam arcum intendere

et tƝla conicere.

HƯs exercitƗtiǀnibus vƯrƝs eius cǀnfirmƗtae sunt.

In mnjsicƗ etiam Ɨ Linǀ quǀdam ƝrudiƝbƗtur;

huic tamen artƯ minus dƯligenter studƝbat.

Linus Herculem quondam obinjrgƗbat,

quod nǀn studiǀsus erat;

puer ƯrƗtus citharam subitǀ arripuit,

et omnibus vƯribus caput magistrƯ ƯnfƝlƯcis percussit.

Ille ictnj prǀstrƗtus est,

et paulǀ post Ɲ vƯtƗ excessit;

neque quisquam posteƗ id officium suscipere voluit.

bama.ua.edu/~ksummers/ cl222/LECT13/img007.jpg Quaestiones: Quo modo (How, In what way) consumebat Hercules magnam partem diei? What art did Hercules learn from Linus? Qualis (What sort of) discipulus erat ille in hac arte? Why did Linus criticize Hercules? Quo modo interfecit Hercules Linum? Why do you think Hercules didn’t like the study of music? What aspect/s of Hercules’ personality or character does this story reveal? Why did no one want the job of teaching Hercules afterward?

15. HERCULES ESCAPES SACRIFICE

Herakles (Hercules) murders Busiris, hoisting him by his ankles and slamming him down on the sacrificial altar. One priest tries to kill Hercules with a sacrificial axe while another crouches behind the altar in terror.

De Hercule hƗec etiam nƗrrantur.

Quondam

dum iter facit,

in finƝs Aegyptǀrum vƝnit.

Ibi rƝx quƯdam, nǀmine BnjsƯris, illǀ tempore rƝgnƗbat;

hic autem vir crnjdƝlissimus hominƝs immolƗre cǀnsuƝverat.

Herculem igitur corripuit

et in vincula coniƝcit.

Tum nnjntiǀs dƯmƯsit

et diem sacrificiǀ dixit.

Iam ea diƝs appetƝbat,

et omnia rƯte parƗta sunt.

Mannjs Herculis catƝnƯs ferreƯs vƯnctae sunt,

et mola salsa in caput eius imposita est.

Mǀs enim erat apud antƯquǀs

salem et far in caput victimƗrum impǀnere.

Iam victima ad aram stƗbat;

iam sacerdǀs cultrum sumpserat.

Subitǀ tamen HerculƝs magnǀ conatnj vincula perrupit.

Tum ictnj sacerdotem prostravit;

alterǀ regem ipsum occidit.

Quaestiones: Where did Hercules travel to? What sort of person was the king there? How did he treat travlelers ? Quid egit Busiris postquam Herculem corripuit et in vincula coniecit ? What was the custom among ancient people? Quǀ modǀ HerculƝs fugit ? How were the king and priest killed?

16. A CRUEL DEED HerculƝs iam adulƝscƝns ThƝbƯs habitƗbat.

RƝx ThƝbƗrum, vir ignƗvus, Creǀn appellƗbƗtur.

Minyae, gƝns bellicǀsissima, ThƝbƗnƯs fƯnitimƯ erant.

LƝgƗtƯ autem Ɨ MinyƯs ad ThƝbƗnǀs quotannƯs mittƝbantur;

hƯ ThƝbƗs veniƝbant

et centum bovƝs postulƗbant.

ThƝbƗnƯ enim,

quoniam Ɨ MinyƯs superƗtƯ erant,

tribnjtum rƝgƯ MinyƗrum quotannƯs pendƝbant.

At HerculƝs cƯvƝs suǀs hǀc tributǀ lƯberƗre cǀnstituit;

itaque lƝgƗtǀs comprehendit

atque aurƝs eǀrum abscƯdit.

LƝgƗtƯ autem apud omnƝs gentƝs sƗnctƯ habentur.

CREON·REX·THEBARVM·VIR·IGNAVVS server.kossuth-saujhely.sulinet.hu/ mkpic/xena.

Quaestiones: Qua in urbe habitabat Hercules adulescens? Qualis (What sort of) vir erat Creon? Qualis gens erant Minyae? Cur legati a Minyis Thebas quotannis mittebantur? Cur pendebant Thebani hoc tributum? Quid facere constituit Hercules? Quid fecit Hercules contra (against) legatos Minyarum?

Cattle were very important in the ancient economy, and local wars were often fought over their possession. Here is a larnax from Crete with cattle painted on it, from around the time of the Trojan War (1400-1100 BC). Herakleion, Crete Archaeological Museum.

17. THE DEFEAT OF THE MINYAE ErgƯnus, rƝx MinyƗrum,

ob haec vehementur ƯrƗtus,

statim cum omnibus cǀpiƯs in fƯnƝs ThƝbƗnǀrum contendit.

Creǀn adventum eius per explorƗtǀrƝs cognǀvit.

Ipse tamen pugnƗre nǀluit;

nam magnǀ timǀre affectus erat.

Itaque ThƝbƗnƯ Herculem imperƗtǀrem creƗvƝrunt.

Ille nnjntiǀs in omnƝs partƝs dƯmƯsit

et cǀpiƗs coƝgit;

tum proximǀ diƝ cum magnǀ exercitnj profectus est.

Locum idǀneum dƝlƝgit

et aciem Ưnstruxit.

Tum ThƝbƗnƯ Ɲ superiǀre locǀ impetum in hostƝs fƝcƝrunt.

IllƯ autem impetum sustinƝre nǀn potuƝrunt;

ita aciƝs hostium pulsa (est)

atque in fugam conversa est.

The acropolis of Orchomenos, city-state of the

Minyans, as seen from the south. Through

antiquity, Orchomenos had been a rival of

Thebes, located to the south. In myth, Hercules

freed the Thebans from continuing to pay a

tribute to the Minyans and their king, Erginus.

Quaestiones: Who was Erginus? Cur erat Erginus iratus? Why didn’t Creon want to fight with Erginus? Quo modo (How) Hercules exercitum fecit? How were the enemy defeated? Extra points: How does this story compare to or contrast with the movie “It’s a Bug’s Life”?

18. MADNESS AND MURDER

Antonio Canova, Hercules in his Madness (1801). Post hoc proelium HerculƝs copiƗs suƗs ad urbem rednjxit.

Omnes ThƝbanƯ hƗc victoriƗ maximƝ gaudƝbant;

Creǀn autem magnƯs honǀribus Herculem decorƗvit,

atque eƯ fƯliam suam in mƗtrimǀnium dedit.

HerculƝs cum uxǀre suƗ beƗtam vƯtam agƝbat;

sed subitǀ in furǀrem incidit,

atque liberǀs suǀs ipse suƗ mannj occƯdit.

Paulǀ post ad sƗnitƗtem reductus est,

et propter hoc facinus magnǀ dolǀre affectus est.

BrevƯ tempore ex urbe fnjgit

et in silvƗs sƝ recƝpit;

cƯvƝs enim sermǀnem cum eǀ habƝre nǀlƝbant.

Quaestiones. Postquam Hercules copias suas ad urbem reduxit, quid fecerunt Thebani? Quem dedit rex Creon Herculi in matrimonium? Quomodo Hercules liberos suos occidit? Post mortem liberorum suorum, quid fecit Hercules? Quid deinde (then) nolebant cives sui cum Hercule habere?

19. HERCULES CONSULTS THE ORACLE

The Pythia (left) seated opposite Apollo in his sacred tripod. In very early prehistoric times, this was possibly a kettle used to cook human flesh, partaken of by men who believed they then became werewolves and had second sight. An old name for Apollo was Lykaios, Wolf-Man.

HerculƝs tantum scelus expiƗre magnopere cupiƝbat,

atque ad oraculum Delphicum Ưre cǀnstituit;

hoc enim erat omnium ǀraculǀrum nǀtissimum.

Ibi templum erat Apollinis plnjrimƯs dǀnƯs ǀrnƗtum.

Hǀc in templǀ sedƝbat fƝmina quaedam,

nǀmine Pythia,

et cǀnsilium dabat eƯs

quƯ ad ǀraculum vƝnerant.

Haec autem fƝmina ab ipsǀ Apolline docƝbatur,

et voluntƗtem deƯ hominibus ƝnnjntiƗbat.

HerculƝs igitur,

quƯ Apollinem praecipuƝ colƝbat,

hnjc vƝnit.

Tum rem tǀtam exposuit,

neque scelus cƝlƗvit.

Quaestiones: Cnjr HerculƝs ad ǀrƗculum Delphicum iit? Quam ob rem (For what reason) erat ǀrƗculum Delphicum notissimum? Quid in templo faciƝbat Pythia? Quis Pythiam docuerat? Quid fecit Hercules ubi ad Pythiam venit?

20. THE ORACLE’S REPLY Ubi HerculƝs fƯnem fƝcit,

Pythia prƯmǀ tacƝbat;

tandem tamen iussit eum

ad urbem TƯryntha Ưre,

et EurystheƯ rƝgis omnia iussa facere.

HerculƝs

ubi haec audƯvit,

ad urbem illam contendit,

et Eurystheǀ rƝgƯ sƝ in servitnjtem trƗdidit.

Duodecim annǀs crnjdƝlissimǀ Eurystheǀ servƯvit,

et duodecim labǀrƝs,

quǀs ille imperƗverat,

cǀnfƝcit;

hǀc enim njnǀ modǀ tantum scelus expiƗrƯ potuit.

DƝ hƯs labǀribus plnjrima Ɨ poƝtƯs scrƯpta sunt.

Multa tamen

quae poƝtae nƗrrant

crƝdibilia nǀn sunt. Pythia, priestess of Apollo at Delphi. For more information: www.aroundparnassos.com/history/

Reconstruction of ancient Tiryns, where Hercules served Eurystheus. The heavy fortification walls are typical of Mycenaean cities (ca. 2000-1200 BC).

Questiones: Quam ad urbem iussit Pythia Herculem ire? Cui Pythia iussit Herculem servire? Quot annos Hercules illi crudeli regi serviebat? Quot labores sunt a Hercule confecti?

21. FIRST LABOR: THE NEMEAN LION

Hercules wrestling the Nemean Lion. Philadelphia L-64-185, Attic red figure stamnos, ca. 490 B.C.

Heracles wearing the skin of the Nemean lion, holding his club, his other main attribute.

QuaestionĂs : 1. Quem laborem primum iussit Eurystheus Herculem agere, et cur? 2. Ubi habitabat leĄ? 3. Cum quĄ percussit HerculĂs leonem?

PrƯmum ab Eurystheǀ iussus est HerculƝs leǀnem interficere

quƯ illǀ tempore vallem Nemeaeam reddƝbat Ưnfestam.

Itaque in silvƗs

in quibus leǀ habitabat

statim sƝ contulit.

Ubi feram vƯdit,

arcum

quem sƝcum attulerat

intendit;

eius tamen pellem,

quae dƝnsissima erat,

trƗicere nǀn potuit.

Tum clƗvƗ magnƗ

quam semper gerƝbat

leǀnem frnjstrƗ percussit;

neque enim hǀc modǀ eum interficere potuit.

Tum dƝmum collum mǀnstrƯ bracchiƯs suƯs complexus est,

et faucƝs eius omnibus vƯribus compressit.

Hǀc modǀ leǀ brevƯ tempore exanimatus est;

nnjlla enim respƯrandƯ facultƗs eƯ dabƗtur.

Tum HerculƝs cadƗver ad oppidum umerƯs rettulit;

et pellem,

quam dƝtrƗxerat,

posteƗ prǀ veste gerƝbat.

OmnƝs autem

quƯ eam regionem incolƝbant,

ubi fƗma dƝ morte leǀnis ad aurƝs eǀrum pervƝnit,

vehementer gaudƝbant,

et Herculem magnǀ in honǀre habƝbant.

4. Quo modĄ est leĄ interfectus? 5. Quid rettulit HerculĂs ad urbem? 6. Quid gessit Hercules postea pro veste?

22. SECOND LABOR: THE LERNEAN HYDRA

Paulǀ post ab Eurystheǀ Hydram interficere iussus est.

Hoc autem erat mǀnstrum

cui novem erant capita.

HerculƝs igitur cum amƯcǀ IolƗǀ profectus est ad palnjdem Lernaeam,

in quƗ Hydra habitƗbat.

BrevƯ tempore mǀnstrum invƝnit;

Et,

quamquam rƝs erat magnƯ perƯculƯ,

id sinistrƗ prehendit.

Tum dextrƗ capita novem abscƯdere coepit;

quotiƝns tamen hoc fƝcerat,

nova capita exoriƝbantur.

Dinj frustrƗ labǀrƗbat;

tandem hǀc cǀnƗtnj dƝstitit.

Deinde arborƝs succƯdere

et ignem accendere cǀnstituit.

Hoc celeriter fƝcit;

postquam ligna ignem comprehendƝrunt,

face Ɨrdente colla adussit,

unde capita exoriƝbantur.

Nec tamen sine magnǀ labǀre haec fƝcit;

cancer enim ingƝns auxiliǀ Hydrae vƝnit,

quƯ, dum HerculƝs capita abscindƝbat,

crnjra eius mordƝbat.

Postquam mǀnstrum tƗlƯ modǀ interfƝcit,

sagittƗs suƗs sanguine eius imbuit,

itaque mortiferƗs reddidit. Hercules (left) cuts off the Hydra’s heads with a sickle (falx) while a crab bites his legs. Minerva (unseen, far left) stands behind him, holding out her protective aegis, her magic goat-skin cape covered with serpent scales and fringed with live snakes. Iolaos (right) singes the cut necks with a flaming torch. Because Hercules had the help of Iolaos in this Labor, Eurystheus refused to accept it; but it is usually included as the second of his Twelve Labors. The Hydra’s poisonous blood (or gall, according to Apollodorus) will play a significant and recurring part in Hercules’ life and even in the manner of his death.

23. THIRD LABOR: THE CERYNEAN STAG.

detail from a Hercules Mosaic, Roman, 3rd century CE. Madrid, Archaeological Museum.

Postquam Eurystheǀ caedƝs Hydrae nnjntiƗta est,

magnus timor animum eius occupƗvit.

Itaque Herculem cervum quendam ad sƝ referre iussit;

virum enim tantae audƗciae in urbe retinƝre nǀlƝbat.

Hic autem cervus,

cuius cornua

aurea fuisse

trƗduntur,

incrƝdibilƯ fuit celeritate.

HerculƝs igitur prƯmǀ vƝstƯgiƯs eum in silvƗ persequƝbatur;

deinde,

ubi cervum ipsum vƯdit,

omnibus vƯribus currere coepit.

Njsque ad vesperum currƝbat,

neque nocturnum tempus sibi ad quiƝtem relinquƝbat.

FrnjstrƗ tamen tantum labǀrem suscƝpit;

nnjllǀ enim modǀ cervum cǀnsequƯ poterat.

Tandem,

postquam tǀtum annum cucurrit,

(ita trƗditur),

cervum

cursnj exanimƗtum

cƝpit,

et vƯvum ad Eurystheum rettulit.

Quaestiones: Ubi magnus timor animum Eurysthei occupavit? Qualia (Of what sort, What kind of) cornua cervi fuisse traduntur? Ubi Hercules cervum persquebatur? Quid fecit Hercules, ubi cerbum ipsum vidit? Quam diu cervus cucurrit?

24. FOURTH LABOR: THE ERYMANTHIAN BOAR

Hercules (Herakles), the Erymanthian Boar, Eurystheus, Athena. Detail from Athenian black-figure clay vase, about 510 BC. Paris, Musée du Louvre.

Tum vƝrǀ iussus est HerculƝs aprum quendam capere,

quƯ illǀ tempore agrǀs Erymanthiǀs vƗstƗbat,

et incolƗs huius regiǀnis magnopere terrƝbat.

HerculƝs rem suscƝpit,

et in Arcadiam profectus est.

Postquam in silvam paulum prǀgressus est,

aprǀ occurrit.

Ille autem,

simul atque Herculem vƯdit,

statim refugit,

et,

timǀre perterritus,

in altam fossam sƝ prǀiƝcit.

HerculƝs aprǀ laqueum

quem attulerat

iniƝcit,

et summƗ cum difficultƗte eum Ɲ fossƗ extrƗxit.

Ille,

etsƯ fortiter repugnƗbat,

tamen nullǀ modǀ sƝ lƯberƗre potuit,

atque ab Hercule ad Eurystheum vƯvus relƗtus est. Quaestiones: Quid Eurystheus Herculem suscipere iussit? Quid fecit aper illo tempore? Quid egit aper postquam Herculem vidit? Quid apro iniecit Hercules? Quo modo aper e fossa est extractus? Qualis aper relatus est ad Eurystheum?

25. HERCULES AT THE CENTAUR’S CAVE

DƝ quƗrtǀ labǀre,

quem suprƗ nƗrrƗvimus,

haec etiam trƗduntur.

HerculƝs,

dum iter in Arcadiam facit,

ad eam regiǀnem vƝnit

quam centaurƯ incolƝbant,

quƯ erant equƯ,

sed (qui) hominis caput habƝbant.

Cum nox iam appetƝbat,

ad spƝluncam dƝvertit,

in quƗ centaurus quƯdam, nǀmine Pholus, habitƗbat.

Ille Herculem benignƝ excƝpit

et cƝnam parƗvit.

At HerculƝs,

postquam cƝnƗvit,

vƯnum Ɨ Pholǀ postulƗvit.

Erat autem in spƝluncƗ magna amphora vƯnƯ,

quam centaurƯ ibi dƝposuerant.

Pholus id vinum dare nǀlƝbat,

quod reliquǀs centaurǀs timƝbat;

nnjllum tamen vƯnum praeter hoc in spƝluncƗ habƝbat.

"Hoc vƯnum," inquit, "mihi commissum est.

SƯ id dederǀ,

CentaurƯ mƝ interficient."

HerculƝs tamen eum irrƯsit,

et ipse pǀculum vƯnƯ ex amphorƗ hausit.

HerculƝs in PholƯ speluncƗ, ubi ille amphoram vƯnƯ haurit. QuaestionƝs: Ubi Heracles iter fƝcit? QuƯ in eƗ regione habitƗbant? Cur Hercules in speluncam devertit? Quis in speluncƗ habitabat? Quǀ modǀ Hercules Ɨ Centaurǀ exceptus est? Quis cenam paravit? CenƗ confectƗ, quid Hercules Ɨ Pholǀ postulƗvit? Cur Pholus vinum HerculƯ dare nolƝbat? SƯ Pholus Herculi vinum dederit, quid accidet?

26. THE FIGHT WITH THE CENTAURS

The Battle between Hercules and Centaurs (1526-1527), by Gian Jacopo Caraglio. This was one of a series of engravings produced by Caraglio depicting the labors of Hercules. Hercules is shown here in the foreground beating a fallen centaur with his club; two centaurs have aimed arrows at his backside in retaliation. The piece is currently on display at the State Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg in Russia.

Simul atque amphora vƯnƯ optimƯ plƝna aperta est,

odor injcundissimus undique diffnjsus est;

vƯnum enim suƗvissimum erat.

CentaurƯ nǀtum odǀrem sƝnsƝrunt,

atque omnƝs ad locum convƝnƝrunt.

Ubi ad spƝluncam pervƝnƝrunt,

magnopere ƯrƗtƯ erant,

quod Herculem bibentem vƯdƝrunt,

ac Pholum interficere volƝbant.

HerculƝs tamen in aditnj spƝluncae cǀnstitit

et impetum eǀrum fortissimƝ sustinƝbat.

FacƝs ƗrdentƝs in eǀs coniƝcit;

multǀs etiam sagittƯs suƯs vulnerƗvit.

Hae autem sagittae eaedem erant

quae sanguine Hydrae imbnjtae erant.

OmnƝs igitur

quǀs ille sagittƯs vulnerƗverat

venƝnǀ statim absnjmptƯ sunt;

reliquƯ autem

ubi hoc vƯdƝrunt,

terga vertƝrunt

et fugƗ salnjtem petiƝrunt. Quaestiones: Quǀ modǀ vƯnum perscrƯptum est? Cnjr centaurƯ ƯrƗtƯ erant? Quid facere volƝbant? Quǀ modǀ HerculƝs impetum eǀrum sustinƝbat? Quǀ sagittae Herculis imbutae erant? Quid accidit illƯs quǀs ille vulnerƗvit? Quǀ modǀ reliquƯ salnjtem petiƝrunt?

27. THE FATE OF PHOLUS

Pholus (center) was a centaur who once entertained Hercules (right), who is dipping his cup in the wine-jar. The lid of the jar leans up

to the right. Two other centaurs, angry that Hercules is drinking their wine, enter on the left.

Quaestiones: Quid spectƗbat Pholus ubi ex speluncƗ egressus est? Cnjr mƯrƗbatur Pholus? Quid Pholus Ɲ vulnere extrƗxit? In quƗ parte corporis Pholus se (acc.- himself) vulnerƗvit? Quid deinde Pholǀ accidit? Quid Ɲgit HerculƝs postquam Pholum mortuum vƯdit?

Cum reliquƯ fugissent,

Pholus ex speluncƗ Ɲgressus est,

et corpora spectƗbat eǀrum

quƯ sagittƯs interfectƯ erant.

Magnopere autem mirƗbatur

quod tam levƯ vulnere exanimatƯ erant,

et causam eius reƯ quaerƝbat.

Itaque adiit locum

ubi cadaver cuiusdam centaurƯ iacƝbat,

ac sagittam Ɲ vulnere extrƗxit.

Haec tamen, sƯve cƗsnj sƯve cǀnsiliǀ deǀrum,

dƝ manibus eius Ɲlapsa est

et pedem leviter vulnerƗvit.

Ille statim gravem dolorem sƝnsit,

et brevƯ tempore vƯ venƝnƯ exanimƗtus est.

Ubi HerculƝs,

quƯ reliquǀs centaurǀs secutus erat,

ad spƝluncam rediit,

magnǀ cum dolǀre Pholum mortuum vƯdit.

MultƯs cum lacrimƯs amƯcum sepelƯvit;

tum,

postquam alterum pǀculum vƯnƯ exhausit,

somnǀ sƝ dedit.

28. THE AUGEAN STABLES. Deinde Eurystheus HerculƯ imperƗvit

ut hunc labǀrem graviǀrem cǀnficeret.

AugƝƗs quƯdam,

quƯ illǀ tempore rƝgnum in Ɯlide obtinƝbat,

tria mƯlia boûm habƝbat.

HƯ in stabulǀ ingentis magnitnjdinis inclnjsƯ erant.

Stabulum autem squƗlǀre erat obsitum;

neque enim ad id tempus umquam pnjrgƗtum erat.

Hoc HerculƝs njnǀ diƝ pnjrgƗre iussus est.

Ille,

etsƯ rƝs erat multae operae,

negǀtium suscƝpit.

PrƯmum magnǀ labǀre fossam duodƝvƯgintƯ pedum dnjxit,

per quam flnjminis aquam dƝ montibus ad mnjrum stabulƯ dnjxit.

Tum,

postquam mnjrum perrnjpit,

aquam in stabulum immƯsit;

et tƗlƯ modǀ contrƗ opƯniǀnem omnium opus cǀnfƝcit.

Quaestiones: Quis erat Augeas? Quot (How many) boves habebat ille? Ubi erant illius boves inclusi? Quid iussit Augeas Herculem facere? Quid primum fecit Hercules? Quid fecit Hercules posquam aquam fluminis per murum duxit? Quid factum est contra opinionem omnium?

Above: Relief panel from the temple of Zeus at Olympia. Hercules (Herakles) originally held a long-handled spade, with which he dug the ditch to direct the river water into the stables of Augeas. His helper, Minerva (Athena), stands beside him to guide and direct him in this Labor. Left: a modern image of this Labor.

29. THE STYMPHALIAN BIRDS. Quaestiones: QuƗ speciƝ erant aves Stymphalides? Quam ob rem erat tam difficile avibus appropinquare? Quǀ modǀ adiuvit Minerva Herculem? Quis erat Volcanus? Quid fecit Hercules ut aves perterreret? Quo modo interfecit Hercules illas aves?

Post paucǀs diƝs HerculƝs ad oppidum StymphƗlum iter fƝcit;

imperƗverat enim eƯ Eurystheus

ut avƝs StymphalidƝs interficeret.

Hae avƝs rostra aƝnea habƝbant,

et carne hominum vƝscƝbantur.

Ille,

postquam ad locum pervƝnit,

lacum vƯdit;

in hǀc autem lacnj,

quƯ nǀn procul erat ab oppidǀ,

avƝs habitƗbant.

Nnjlla tamen appropinquandƯ facultƗs dabƗtur;

lacus enim nǀn ex aquƗ, sed Ɲ lƯmǀ cǀnstitit.

HerculƝs igitur neque pedibus neque lintre prǀgredƯ potuit.

Cum magnam partem diƝƯ frnjstrƗ cǀnsumpsisset,

hǀc cǀnƗtnj dƝstitit

et ad Minervam sƝ contulit,

ut auxilium ab eƗ peteret.

Illa eƯ crotala dedit

quae ipse VolcƗnus

(quƯ ab fabrƯs maximƝ colƝbatur)

ex aere fƝcerat.

Cum HerculƝs hƯs crotalƯs crepitum Ɨcerrimum fƝcisset,

avƝs perterritae ƗvolƗvƝrunt.

Ille autem,

dum Ɨvolant,

magnum numerum eƗrum sagittƯs trƗnsfƯxit.

Left: Hercules shoots the Stymphalian birds. In what way is this picture different from the ending of the story above?

30. SEVENTH LABOR: THE CRETAN BULL Tum Eurystheus HerculƯ imperƗvit ut taurum quendam ferǀcissimum ex ƯnsulƗ CrƝtƗ vƯvum referret. Ille nƗvem cǀnscendit, et cum ventus idǀneus esset, statim solvit. Cum tamen Ưnsulae iam appropinquƗret, tanta tempestƗs subitǀ coorta est ut nƗvis cursum tenƝre nǀn posset. Tantus autem timor animǀs nautƗrum occupƗvit ut paene omnem spem salnjtis dƝpǀnerent. HerculƝs etsƯ nƗvigandƯ imperƯtus erat, tamen nnjllǀ modǀ territus est. Paulǀ post summa tranquillitƗs cǀnsecnjta est, et nautae, quƯ sƝ ex timǀre iam recƝperant, nƗvem incolumem ad terram appulƝrunt. HerculƝs Ɲ nƗvƯ Ɲgressus est et cum ad rƝgem CrƝtae vƝnisset, causam veniendƯ docuit. Deinde, postquam omnia parƗta sunt, ad eam regiǀnem contendit quam taurus vƗstƗbat. BrevƯ tempore taurum vƯdit et, quamquam rƝs erat magnƯ perƯculƯ, cornua eius prehendit. Tum, cum mǀnstrum ad nƗvem ingentƯ labǀre trƗxisset, cum praedƗ in Graeciam rediit.

Amphora, ca. 520 B. C. Hercules subdues the Cretan bull. Hermes, holding the caduceus, stands behind, ready to help

Quaestiones: Quid Herculi imperavit Eurystheus? Quid accidit (happened) cum navis insulae appropinquaret? Quid fecit Hercules cum ad regem Cretae venisset? Quomodo (How) prehendit Hercules illum taurum? Quam ob rem (For what reason, Why) erat res magni periculi illud ‘monstrum’ capere?

31. EIGHTH LABOR: THE HORSES OF DIOMEDES Postquam ex ƯnsulƗ CrƝtƗ rediit,

HerculƝs ab Eurystheǀ in ThrƗciam missus est,

ut equǀs DiomƝdis rednjceret.

HƯ equƯ carne hominum vƝscƝbantur;

DiomƝdƝs autem, vir crnjdƝlissimus, eƯs obiciƝbat peregrƯnos omnƝs

quƯ in eam regiǀnem vƝnerant.

HerculƝs igitur magnƗ celeritƗte in ThrƗciam contendit,

et ab DiomƝde postulƗvit

ut equƯ sibi trƗderentur.

Cum tamen rƝx hoc facere nǀllet,

HerculƝs,

ƯrƗ commǀtus,

eum interfƝcit

et cadƗver eius equƯs obicƯ iussit.

Ita mƯra rƝrum commnjtƗtiǀ facta est;

is enim

quƯ anteƗ multǀs cum cruciƗtnj necƗverat

ipse eǀdem suppliciǀ necƗtus est.

Cum haec nnjntiƗta essent,

omnƝs

quƯ eam regiǀnem incolƝbant

maximƗ laetitiƗ affectƯ sunt,

et HerculƯ meritam grƗtiam rettulƝrunt.

Athenian black-figure vase: Hercules and one of Diomedes’ mares. Note shoulder and arm in the horse’s mouth.

Nǀn modǀ maximƯs honǀribus et praemiƯs eum dƝcorƗvƝrunt,

sed etiam ǀrƗbant

ut rƝgnum ipse susciperet.

Ille tamen hoc facere nǀlƝbat;

et

cum ad mare redƯsset,

nƗvem occupƗvit.

Ubi omnia ad nƗvigandum parƗta sunt,

equǀs in nƗvƯ collocƗvit;

deinde,

cum idǀneum tempestƗtem nactus esset,

sine morƗ Ɲ portnj solvit,

et paulǀ post equǀs in lƯtus Argolicum exposuit.

32. NINTH LABOR: THE BELT OF HIPPOLYTE. GƝns AmƗzonum omnƯnǀ ex mulieribus cǀnstitisse dƯcitur.

Hae summam scientiam reƯ mƯlitƗris habƝbant,

et tantam virtnjtem adhibƝbant

ut cum virƯs proelium committere audƝrent.

HippolytƝ, AmƗzonum rƝgƯna, balteum habuit nǀtissimum,

quem MƗrs eƯ dederat.

AdmƝtƝ autem, EurystheƯ fƯlia, dƝ hǀc balteǀ audƯverat,

et eum possidƝre vehementer cupiƝbat.

Eurystheus igitur HerculƯ mandƗvit

ut cǀpiƗs cǀgeret

et bellum AmƗzonibus Ưnferret.

Ille nnjntiǀs in omnƝs partƝs dƯmƯsit;

et

cum maxima multitnjdǀ convƝnisset,

eǀs tamen sǀlǀs dƝlƝgit

quƯ maximum njsum in rƝ mƯlitƗrƯ habƝbant. Right: an Amazon hunting with horses and dog. Philadelphia MS4832, Attic black figure amphora, c. 525-500 B.C. Photograph by Maria Daniels, courtesy of The University of Pennsylvania Museum. Quaestiones: Qualis erat gens Amazonum? Quam scientiam habebant illae? Quis Hippolytae illum balteum notissimum dederat? Quis erat Admete, et quid illa cupiebat? Quae mandavit Eurystheus Herculi? Quid deinde fecit Hercules? Quos delegit Hercules ad eam rem conficiendam?

33. THE BELT IS REFUSED. HerculƝs

postquam causam itineris exposuit,

fortissimƯs virƯs persuƗsit

ut sƝcum iter facerent.

Tum cum eƯs

quibus persuƗserat

nƗvem cǀnscendit;

et paucƯs post diƝbus,

cum ventus idǀneus esset,

ad ǀstium flnjminis Thermǀdontis appulit.

Postquam in fƯnƝs AmƗzonum vƝnit,

nnjntium ad HippolytƝn mƯsit,

quƯ causam veniendƯ docƝret

et balteum posceret.

Ipsa HippolytƝ balteum trƗdere volƝbat,

quod fƗma dƝ Herculis virtnjte ad eam allƗta erat;

reliquae tamen AmƗzonƝs eƯ persuƗsƝrunt

ut negƗret.

At HerculƝs,

cum haec nnjntiƗta essent,

bellƯ fortnjnam temptƗre cǀnstituit.

Proximǀ diƝ

cum cǀpias Ɲdnjxisset,

locum idǀneum dƝlƝgit

atque hostƝs ad pugnam ƝvocƗvit.

AmƗzonƝs quoque cǀpiƗs suƗs Ɲ castrƯs ƝdnjxƝrunt

et nǀn magnǀ intervƗllǀ ab Hercule aciem ƯnstrnjxƝrunt.

Amazons arming. Malibu 77.AE.11, Attic red figure volute krater, c. 490 B.C. J. Paul Getty Museum, Malibu, California

34. THE BATTLE Palnjs erat nǀn magna inter duǀs exercitnjs;

neutrƯ tamen initium trƗnseundi facere volƝbant.

Tandem HerculƝs signum dedit;

et,

ubi palnjdem trƗnsiit,

proelium commƯsit.

AmƗzonƝs impetum virǀrum fortissimƝ sustinuƝrunt

et, contrƗ omnium opƯniǀnem, tantam virtnjtem praestitƝrunt

ut multǀs eǀrum occƯderent,

multǀs etiam in fugam conicerent.

VirƯ enim novǀ genere pugnae perturbƗbantur,

nec magnam virtnjtem praestƗbant.

HerculƝs autem

cum haec vidƝret

dƝ suƯs fortunƯs dƝspƝrƗre coepit.

Itaque mƯlitƝs vehementer cohortƗtus est

ut prƯstinae virtnjtis memoriam retinƝrent,

neu tantum dƝdecus admitterent,

hostiumque impetum fortiter sustinƝrent.

Quibus verbƯs animǀs omnium ita cǀnfirmƗvit

ut multƯ etiam

quƯ vulneribus cǀnfectƯ essent

proelium sine morƗ redintegrƗrent.

In one version of the Hercules myth, the young hero Theseus went on the expedition to capture Hippolyte’s belt; he is seen here in the fighting. On that adventure he captured the Amazon Antiope, with whom he had an illegitimate son, Hippolytus. The tragic death of Hippolytus years later is told in a play of that name by the great Athenian dramatist Euripides.

Quaestiones: Quid nolebant neutri facere? Quid fecerunt Amazones, contra omnium opinionem? Qua re (Why) erant viri tam perturbati? Cum Hercules de suis fortunis desperare coepisset, quid fecit deinde? Quo modo (In what way) se egerunt milites cum verba Herculis audivissent?

35. THE DEFEAT OF THE AMAZONS Dinj et Ɨcriter pugnƗtum est;

tandem tamen ad sǀlis occƗsum tanta commnjtƗtiǀ rƝrum facta est

ut mulierƝs terga verterent

et fugƗ salnjtem peterent.

Multae autem, vulneribus dƝfessae,

dum fugiunt,

captae sunt;

in quǀ numerǀ erat ipsa HippolytƝ.

HerculƝs summam clƝmentiam praestitit;

postquam balteum accƝpit,

lƯbertƗtem omnibus captƯvƯs dedit.

Tum vƝrǀ sociǀs ad mare rednjxit;

et,

quod nǀn multum aestƗtis supererat,

in Graeciam proficƯscƯ mƗtnjrƗvit.

Itaque nƗvem cǀnscendit

et,

tempestƗtem idǀneam nactus,

statim solvit.

Priusquam tamen in Graeciam pervƝnit,

ad urbem Troiam nƗvem appellere cǀnstituit;

frnjmentum enim

quod sƝcum habƝbat

iam dƝficere coeperat.

Mississippi 1977.3.57, Attic black figure neck amphora, c. 530-520 B.C. Side A: Amazon on left, detail: Note the belt on the fallen Amazon, probably Hippolyte. Photograph by Maria Daniels, courtesy of the University Museums, University of Mississippi.

Hercules fighting the Amazon Andromache. Right: detail from an Athenian black-figure clay vase, about 550 BC. Boston, Museum of Fine Arts 98.916.

Quaestiones: Responde Latine! Quae commutatio rerum est facta in proelio inter Graecos et Amazones? Quid tandem factum est (happened) Hippolytae, Amazonum reginae? Quo modo (How) tractavit (treated) Hercules Amazones victas captasque? Quam ob rem (For what reason) maturaverunt Graeci rursus (back) in Graeciam? Cur (Why) appulƝrunt illi ad urbem Troiam?

Consideranda: What might the story of Hercules and the Amazons reveal about masculine Greek attitudes toward women in general?

36. LAOMEDON AND THE SEA-MONSTER LƗomedǀn quƯdam illǀ tempore rƝgnum Troiae obtinƝbat.

Ad hunc Neptnjnus et Apollǀ superiǀre annǀ vƝnerant;

et,

cum Troia nǀndum moenia habƝret,

ad hoc opus auxilium obtulerant.

Postquam tamen eǀrum auxiliǀ moenia cǀnfecta sunt,

LƗomedǀn praemium

quod prǀposuerat

persolvere nǀlƝbat.

Neptnjnus et Apollǀ,

ob hanc causam ƯrƗtƯ,

mǀnstrum quoddam mƯsƝrunt speciƝ horribilƯ,

quod cotƯdiƝ Ɲ marƯ veniƝbat

atque hominƝs pecudƝsque vorƗbat.

Artist’s reconstruction of Troy II, 2350-2250 BC.

TroiƗnƯ autem,

timǀre perterritƯ,

in urbe continƝbantur,

et pecora omnia ex agrƯs intrƗ mnjrǀs compulerant.

LƗomedǀn,

hƯs rƝbus commǀtus,

ǀrƗculum cǀnsuluit,

ac deus eƯ praecƝpit

ut fƯliam HƝsionƝn mǀnstrǀ obiceret. The walls of Troy I (the earliest level of city construction). Ancient people thought that the huge walls must have been built by giants, the Cyclops; such walls today are called ‘cyclopean.’

37. THE RESCUE OF HESIONE

The Monster of Troy Vase, Boston Museum of Fine Arts. Hercules attacks the monster with the assistance of Hesione. Note the similarities with the story of Perseus and Andromeda. Paleontologists believe the monster’s head is modeled after the skull of a dinosaur seen by the ancient artist.

Quaestiones Quid erat responsum oraculi? Cur Laomedon oraculo parere constituit? Quo tempore Hercules Troiam attigit, et navem appulit? De quibus rebus certior factus est Hercules? Quid rex Laomedon Herculi concessit? Quid fecit Laomedon, postquam puella reducta est?

LƗomedǀn,

cum hoc respǀnsum rennjntiƗtum esset,

magnum dolǀrem percƝpit;

sed tamen,

ut cƯvƝs suǀs tantǀ perƯculǀ lƯberƗret,

ǀrƗculǀ parƝre cǀnstituit,

et diem sacrificiǀ dƯxit.

Sed, sƯve cƗsnj sƯve cǀnsiliǀ deǀrum,

HerculƝs tempore opportnjnissimǀ Troiam attigit;

ipsǀ enim temporis pnjnctǀ

quǀ puella,

catƝnƯs vƯncta,

ad lƯtus dƝdnjcƝbƗtur,

nƗvem appulit.

Ɯ nƗvƯ Ɲgressus,

dƝ eƯs rƝbus

quae gerƝbantur

certior factus est;

tum,

ƯrƗ commǀtus

ad rƝgem sƝ contulit

atque auxilium obtulit.

Cum rƝx libenter eƯ concessisset

ut,

sƯ posset,

puellam lƯberƗret,

HerculƝs mǀnstrum interfƝcit;

et puellam,

quae iam omnem spem salnjtis dƝposuerat,

incolumem ad patrem rednjxit.

LƗomedǀn magnǀ cum gaudiǀ fƯliam accƝpit,

et HerculƯ prǀ tantǀ beneficiǀ meritam grƗtiam rettulit.

38. TENTH LABOR: THE OXEN OF GERYON Tum vƝrǀ missus est HerculƝs ad Ưnsulam ErythƝam,

ut bovƝs GƝryonis arcesseret.

RƝs erat summae difficultƗtis,

quod bovƝs Ɨ quǀdam Eurytiǀne et Ɨ cane bicipite custǀdiƝbantur.

Ipse autem GƝryǀn horribilem speciem praebƝbat;

tria enim corpora inter sƝ coninjncta habƝbat.

HerculƝs

etsi intellegƝbat

quantum perƯculum esset,

tamen negǀtium suscƝpit.

Postquam per multƗs terrƗs iter fƝcit,

ad eam partem Ɩfricae pervƝnit

quae Eurǀpae proxima est.

Ibi in utrǀque lƯtore fretƯ

quod Eurǀpam ab Ɩfrica dƯvidit

columnƗs cǀnstituit,

quae posteƗ Herculis Columnae appellƗbantur.

The Straits of Gibraltar, between Spain and Morocco. The steep rock cliffs and mountains on either side were called The Pillars of Hercules by ancient Greeks and Romans.

Geryon, cui tria corpora inter se

coniuncta erant. Quaestiones: Cur erat tam difficile boves Geryonis arcessere? Cur erat species Geryonis tam horribilis? Ad quam partem Africae tandem pervenit Hercules? Quid ibi fecit ille?

39. THE GOLDEN BOAT HerculƝs

dum hƯc morƗtur

magnum incommodum Ɲ calǀre sǀlis accipiƝbat;

tandem,

ƯrƗ commǀtus,

arcum suum intendit

ac sǀlem sagittƯs petiit.

Sǀl tamen audƗciam virƯ tantum admƯrƗtus est

ut eƯ lintrem auream daret.

HerculƝs hoc dǀnum libentissimƝ accƝpit;

nnjllam enim nƗvem in hƯs regiǀnibus invenƯre potuerat.

Tum lintrem dƝdnjxit

et,

ventum nactus idǀneum,

paucƯs post diƝbus ad Ưnsulam pervƝnit.

Ubi ex incolƯs cognǀvit

quǀ in locǀ bovƝs essent,

in eam partem statim profectus est

atque Ɨ rƝge GƝryone postulƗvit

ut bovƝs sibi trƗderentur.

Cum tamen ille hoc facere nǀllet,

HerculƝs et rƝgem ipsum et Eurytiǀnem,

quƯ erat ingentƯ magnitnjdine corporis,

interfƝcit.

Hercules battles Geryon and Eurytion (lying wounded on the ground). Black-figure amphora by the master Exekias, ca. 550 BC. Louvre.

Hercules sailing to Erytheia (Red Island) in the Sun’s golden bowl. Interior of an Attic red-figure kylix (wine cup), attributed to Circle of Douris, c. 480 BCE, from Vulci. Vatican Museums.

Quaestiones: Responde Latine! Quam ob rem petiit Hercules Solem sagittis suis? Quid ex admiratione Herculi dedit Sol? Quid postulavit Hercules a Geryone? Quid deinde factum est (happened, was done) regi Geryoni Eurytionique?

40. A MIRACULOUS STORM Tum HerculƝs bovƝs per HispƗniam et Liguriam compellere cǀnstituit.

Postquam omnia parƗta sunt,

bovƝs ex ƯnsulƗ ad continentem trƗnsportavit.

LigurƝs autem, gƝns bellicǀsissima,

dum ille per fƯnƝs eǀrum iter facit,

magnƗs cǀpiƗs cǀƝgƝrunt

atque eum longius prǀgredƯ prohibƝbant.

Haec rƝs HerculƯ magnam difficultƗtem attulit;

barbarƯ enim in locƯs superiǀribus cǀnstiterant,

et lapidƝs tƝlaque in eum coniciƝbant.

Ille quidem paene omnem spem salnjtis dƝposuerat;

sed tempore opportnjnissimǀ Iuppiter imbrem lapidum ingentium Ɲ caelǀ dƝmƯsit.

HƯ tantƗ vƯ cecidƝrunt

ut magnus numerus Ligurum interficerƝtur;

ipse tamen HerculƝs

(ut in tƗlibus rƝbus accidere cǀnsuƝvit)

nihil incommodƯ accƝpit.

Possible return route of Hercules with the cattle of Geryon. www.perseus.tufts.edu

Quaestiones: Ubi est Liguria hodie? Qualis gens erant Ligures? Quas difficultates Herculi attulerunt Ligures? Cum Hercules paene omnem spem salutis deposuisset, quid fecit Iuppiter? Quo modo (How) sunt Ligures interfecti

41. THE PASSAGE OF THE ALPS

Postquam LigurƝs hǀc modǀ superƗtƯ sunt, HerculƝs quam celerrimƝ prǀgressus est, et brevƯ tempore ad Alpes pervƝnit. Necessse erat hƗs trƗnsƯre, ut in Italiam bovƝs ageret; rƝs tamen summae erat difficultƗtis. HƯ enim montƝs, quƯ Galliam ab ItaliƗ dƯvidunt, nive perennƯ sunt tƝctƯ;

Monte Bianco Range (Mont-Blanc), the Alps between France and Italy, so called because they are covered with almost perpetual snow (nive perenni sunt tecti).

quam ob causam neque frnjmentum neque pƗbulum in hƯs regiǀnibus invenƯrƯ potest.

HerculƝs igitur, priusquam ascendere coepit, magnam cǀpiam frnjmentƯ pƗbulƯque comparƗvit, et hǀc commeƗtnj bovƝs onerƗvit. Postquam in hƯs rƝbus trƝs diƝs cǀnsnjmpsit, quartǀ diƝ profectus est et, contrƗ omnium opƯniǀnem, bovƝs incolumƝs in Italiam trƗdnjxit.

Cur erat necesse Herculi transire Alpes? Ubi sunt hi montes hodie? Quas ob causas erat tam difficile illos montes transire? Quae comparavit Hercules antequam Alpes ascendit?

42. CACUS STEALS THE OXEN BrevƯ tempore ad flnjmen Tiberim vƝnit.

Tum tamen nnjlla erat urbs in eǀ locǀ;

Rǀma enim nǀndum condita erat.

HerculƝs, itinere fessus, cǀnstituit ibi paucǀs diƝs morƗrƯ,

ut sƝ Ɲ labǀre reficeret.

Nǀn procul Ɨ valle

ubi bovƝs pƗscƝbat

spƝlunca erat,

in quƗ CƗcus, horribile mǀnstrum, tum habitƗbat.

Hic terribilem speciem praebƝbat,

nǀn modǀ quod ingentƯ magnitnjdine corporis erat,

sed quod ignem ex ǀre efflƗbat.

CƗcus autem,

quƯ dƝ adventnj Herculis fƗmam audƯverat,

noctnj vƝnit

et,

dum HerculƝs dormit,

quattuor pulcherrimǀs bovƝs abripuit.

Hǀs caudƯs in spƝluncam trƗxit,

nƝ HerculƝs Ɲ vestigiƯs cognǀscere posset

quǀ in locǀ abditƯ essent.

www.library.umass.edu/benson/images/jbgs74.jpg

What is the story of Cacus the cattle thief about?

In carrying out his famous Labors, Hercules had a number of ‘side-labors’, called parerga. The story of Cacus and Hercules is one of these. Despite his often violent nature, Hercules was worshiped throughout the ancient Mediterranean world as an agent of civilization, a ‘culture hero’. By killing or capturing monsters, wild animals, giants, and ogres like Cacus, Hercules made the world safer for ordinary people to live decent, peaceful lives. Cattle were extremely important to ancient Europeans: they were needed for meat, milk, and leather, and possession of cattle was a basis of wealth. The theft (rustling) of cattle was therefore regarded as a very serious crime and disturbance of society. Here is an archaic plaque of a cattle raid:

Limestone metope from Delphi, ca. 560 BC .

Quaestiones: Responde Latine! Cur constituit Hercules ad flumen Tiberim paucos dies morari? In quibus duobus modis erat species Caci horribilis? Quid faciebat Hercules dum Cacus in vallem venit? Quo modo (How) traxit Cacus boves in speluncam, et quam ob rem (Why)? Vestigia boûm praeter ripam fluminis.

43. HERCULES DISCOVERS THE THEFT

Caput bovis.

Boves mugientes.

Posterǀ diƝ,

simul atque Ɲ somnǀ excitƗtus est,

HerculƝs fnjrtum animadvertit,

et bovƝs Ɨmissǀs omnibus locƯs quaerƝbat.

Hǀs tamen nusquam reperƯre poterat,

nǀn modǀ quod locƯ nƗtnjram ignǀrƗbat,

sed quod vestigiƯs falsƯs dƝceptus est.

Tandem,

cum magnam partem diƝƯ frustrƗ cǀnsnjmpsisset,

cum reliquƯs bnjbus prǀgredƯ cǀnstituit.

At,

dum proficƯscƯ parat,

njnus Ɲ bnjbus

quǀs sƝcum habuit

mnjgƯre coepit.

Subitǀ eƯ

quƯ in spƝluncƗ inclnjsƯ erant

mnjgƯtum reddidƝrunt;

atque hǀc modǀ HerculƝs cognǀvit

quǀ in locǀ abditƯ essent.

Ille vehementer ƯrƗtus ad spƝluncam quam celerrimƝ sƝ contulit,

ut praedam reciperet.

At CƗcus saxum ingƝns ita dƝiƝcerat

ut aditus spƝluncae omnƯnǀ obstruerƝtur.

Quaestiones: Responde Latine! Ubi animadvertit Hercules boves amissos esse? Quas ob causas non poterat Hercules illos reperire? Quid demum (finally) constituit Hercules? Quo modo cognovit Hercules ubi boves amissi essent? Cur deiecerat Cacus saxum ingens?

Who is Cacus really? Cacus (the name is simply the Greek adjective meaning “bad, evil”) belongs to a class of fire-breathing, cave-dwelling monsters who rob passersby and hoard their loot; sometimes they appear as dragons, sometimes as giants, ogres, or trolls. Roman folklore held that Cacus’ cave was in the southwest corner of the much later Palatine Hill, and that his sister Caca lived across the valley (later the Circus Maximus) in her cave on what would become the Aventine Hill. We are to understand that this exploit took place about five hundred years before Romulus founded Rome on the Palatine. The Romans used the story of Hercules and Cacus to explain their worship of Hercules at the Ara Maxima (Greatest Altar) near the Forum Boarium (Cattle Market) and the Circus Maximus.

44. HERCULES AND CACUS HerculƝs

cum nnjllum alium introitum reperƯre posset,

hoc saxum ƗmovƝre cǀnƗtus est,

sed propter eius magnitnjdinem rƝs erat difficillima.

Dinj frnjstrƗ labǀrƗbat

neque quicquam efficere poterat;

tandem tamen magnǀ cǀnƗtnj saxum Ɨmǀvit

ac spƝluncam patefƝcit.

Ibi Ɨmissǀs bovƝs magnǀ cum gaudiǀ cǀnspexit;

sed CƗcum ipsum vix cernere potuit,

quod spƝlunca plƝna erat fnjmƯ,

quem ille mǀre suǀ efflƗbat.

HerculƝs

innjsitƗtƗ speciƝ turbatus,

paulƯsper haesitƗbat;

post tamen in spƝluncam irrnjpit,

et collum mǀnstrƯ bracchiƯs complexus est.

CƗcus

etsƯ multum repugnƗvit,

nullǀ modǀ sƝ lƯberƗre potuit;

et,

cum nnjlla facultƗs respƯrandƯ darƝtur,

brevƯ tempore exanimƗtus est.

A clay sculpture of Hercules wrestling Cacus by the great Renaissance artist Michaelangelo Buonarotti.

The theme of struggle between good and civilized against wicked and barbaric was very important in Renaissance art, and Hercules is often central in such works. Below and left, detail from Landscape with Hercules and Cacus, by Nicholas Poussin, 1658-59.

Quaestiones: Responde Latine! Cur erat tam difficile saxum amovere? Quid conspexit Hercules postquam speluncam patefecit? Cur erat Herculi tam difficile Cacum ipsum conspicere? Quo modo est Cacus tandem exanimatus?

45. ELEVENTH LABOR: THE GOLDEN APPLES Eurystheus, postquam bovƝs GƝryonis accƝpit,

labǀrem njndecimum HerculƯ imposuit, graviǀrem

quam ϣquǀs suprƗ nƗrrƗvimusϤ. MandƗvit enim eƯ

ϣut aurea mƗla ex hortǀ Hesperidum auferretϤ.

HesperidƝs autem nymphae erant quaedam fǀrmƗ

praestantissimƗ, quae in terrƗ longinquƗ habitƗbant,

quibusque aurea quaedam mƗla Ɨ Injnǀne commissa

erant. MultƯ hominƝs, aurƯ cupiditƗte inductƯ, haec

mala auferre iam anteƗ cǀnƗtƯ erant. RƝs tamen

difficillima erat; namque hortus ϣin quǀ mƗla erantϤ

murǀ ingentƯ undique circumdatus erat. PraetereƗ

dracǀ quƯdam, cui centum erant capita, portam hortƯ

dƯligenter custǀdiƝbat. Opus igitur ϣquod Eurystheus

HerculƯ imperƗveratϤ erat summae difficultƗtis, nǀn

modo ob causƗs ϣquƗs com-memorƗvimusϤ, sed

etiam ϣquod HerculƝs omnƯnǀ ignǀrƗbatϤ ϣquǀ in

locǀ hortus ille situs esset.

www.donquijote.org/tenerife/images/legend6.jpg

The dragon who guarded the golden apples was called Ladon, and the name Hesperides means “Girls of the Evening/West/Setting Sun.” The ancients thought that the Garden was at the western end of the known world--either at the northwest corner of Africa in the Atlas Mountains in present-day Morocco, or on one of the Canary Islands in the Atlantic Ocean. Notice that Hercules’ labors take him further and further away from Greece each time. Do you know other myths involving a dragon or serpent-like creature guarding a special treasure, perhaps a fruit, hanging in a tree in a far-off garden?

QUAESTIONES: Qualis erat undecimus labor quem Eurystheus Herculi imposuit? Quid imperavit Herculi Eurystheus? Quae erant Hesperides et ubi habitabant? Quis commisit Hesperidibus aurea mala? Cur conati erant multi homines iam antea aurea mala auferre? Ob quas tres causas erat tam difficile Herculi illa mala auferre?

46. HERCULES ASKS THE AID OF ATLAS

Kasbah du Toubkal, a resort hotel at the foot of Jebel Toubkal the highest peak in the Atlas Range of North Africa. http://www.exsus.comƯmages/destinations/1293midimg1.jpg

HerculƝs, quamquam quiƝtem vehementer cupiƝbat, tamen

Eurystheǀ parƝre cǀnstituit; et ϣsimul ac iussa eius accƝpitϤ,

proficƯscƯ mƗtnjrƗvit. Ɩ multƯs mercƗtǀribus quaesƯverat ϣquǀ in

locǀ HesperidƝs habitƗrentϤ; nihil tamen certum reperƯre

potuerat. FrnjstrƗ per multƗs terrƗs iter fƝcit et multa perƯcula

subiit; tandem, cum in hƯs itineribus tǀtum annum

cǀnsnjmpsisset, ad extrƝmam partem orbis terrƗrum, quae

proxima est ƿceanǀ, pervƝnit. HƯc stƗbat vir quƯdam, nǀmine

AtlƗs, ingentƯ magnitnjdine corporis, quƯ caelum (ita trƗditum est)

umerƯs suƯs sustinƝbat, nƝ in terram dƝcideret. HerculƝs

ϣtantƗs vƯrƝs magnopere miratusϤ statim in colloquium cum

Atlante vƝnit; et ϣcum causam itineris docuissetϤ, auxilium ab

eǀ petiit.

Atlas was one of the Titans who refused to accept Zeus’ authority; his punishment was to hold up the rim of the sky-bowl at the far edge of the world. In another myth, he refused hospitality to Perseus, who showed him Medusa’s head, turning him to stone, the Atlas Mountains of present-day Morocco, giving his name to the Atlantic Ocean.

QUAESTIONES: Ubi maturavit Hercules ad laborem undecimum proficisci? Quid quasivit ille a mercatoribus? Quantum temporis consumpsit Hercules? Ubi stabat Atlas, et quid faciebat ille? Quid petiit Hercules ab Atlante?

47. HERCULES BEARS UP THE HEAVENS

In this 5th-century red figure vase from Athens (London E 224 British Museum), the Hesperides vie for the attention of Hercules, seated on the right, either by getting him the golden apples (note the serpent coiled around the tree) or in more obviously personal ways, as the third sister does. Ancient images like these tell us that there was a different version of this labor, in which Hercules himself obtains the golden apples directly from the Hesperides. AtlƗs autem HerculƯ maximƝ prǀdesse potuit; nam ϣcum ipse esset pater HesperidumϤ, sciƝbat ϣquǀ in locǀ

esset hortusϤ. Postquam igitur audƯvit ϣquam ob causam HerculƝs vƝnissetϤ, "Ipse," inquit, "ad hortum Ưbǀ et

fƯliƗbus meƯs persuƗdƝbǀ ϣut mƗla suƗ sponte trƗdantϤ." HerculƝs ϣcum haec audƯretϤ, magnopere gƗvƯsus est;

vim enim adhibƝre nǀluit, sƯ rƝs aliter fierƯ posset. Itaque auxilium oblƗtum accipere cǀnstituit. AtlƗs tamen

postulƗvit ϣutϤ, dum ipse abesset, ϣHerculƝs caelum umerƯs sustinƝretϤ. Hoc autem negǀtium HerculƝs libenter

suscƝpit. Quamquam rƝs erat summƯ labǀris, tǀtum pondus caelƯ continuǀs complnjrƝs diƝs sǀlus sustinuit.

QUAESTIONES: Quo modo potuit Atlas Herculi prodesse? Quam ob rem gavisus est Hercules postquam responsum Atlantis audivit? Quid postulavit Atlas de Hercule?

48. THE RETURN OF ATLAS AtlƗs intereƗ abierat, et ad hortum Hesperidum, quƯ pauca mƯlia passuum aberat, sƝ quam celerrimƝ contulerat.

Eǀ cum vƝnisset, causam veniendƯ exposuit fƯliƗsque suƗs vehementer hortƗtus est ϣut mƗla trƗderentϤ. Illae dinj

haerƝbant; nǀlƝbant enim hoc facere, quod ab ipsƗ Injnǀne (ita ut ante dictum est) hoc mnjnus accƝperant. AtlƗs

tamen aliquandǀ eƯs persuƗsit ϣut sibi pƗrƝrentϤ, ac mƗla ad Herculem rettulit. HerculƝs intereƗ ϣcum plnjrƝs diƝs

expectƗvissetϤ ϣneque njllum nnjntium dƝ reditnj Atlantis accƝpissetϤ, hƗc morƗ graviter commǀtus est. Tandem

quƯntǀ diƝ Atlantem vƯdit redeuntem, et brevƯ tempore magnǀ cum gaudiǀ mƗla accƝpit; tum, postquam grƗtiƗs

prǀ tantǀ beneficiǀ Ɲgit, ad Graeciam proficƯscƯ mƗtnjrƗvit.

http://www.theoi.comƯmage/P25.1Ladon.jpg

Different myths: In the image above, Hercules himself retrieves the apples, dealing with a Hydra-like Ladon as he does so. But in the relief panel opposite, Atlas brings the apples to Hercules, holding the sky-bowl on his shoulders (note the cushion) with the help of his divine protectress Athena.

Relief from the temple of Zeus at Olympia, ca. 460 BC.

QUAESTIONES: Quas duas res fecit Atlas cum ad hortum venisset? Cur haerebant Hesperides aurea mala patri suo tradere? Cur erat Hercules tam graviter commotus? Quid fecit Hercules antequam ad Graeciam profectus est?

49. TWELFTH LABOR: THE DOG CERBERUS Postquam aurea mƗla ad Eurystheum relƗta sunt, njnus modo relinquƝbƗtur Ɲ duodecim labǀribus ϣquǀs Pythia

HerculƯ praecƝperatϤ. Eurystheus autem ϣcum Herculem magnopere timƝretϤ, eum in aliquem locum mittere

volƝbat ϣunde numquam redƯre possetϤ. Itaque negǀtium eƯ dedit ϣut canem Cerberum ex Orcǀ in lnjcem

traheretϤ. Hoc erat omnium operum difficillimum; nƝmǀ enim umquam ex Orcǀ redierat. PraetereƗ Cerberus iste

monstrum erat horribilƯ speciƝ, cui erant tria capita ϣserpentibus saevƯs cƯnctaϤ. Sed ϣpriusquam dƝ hǀc labǀre

nƗrrƗmusϤ, nǀn aliƝnum esse vidƝtur, quoniam dƝ Orcǀ mentiǀnem fƝcimus, pauca dƝ eƗ regiǀne prǀpǀnere.

A modern depiction of Cerberus (http://www.toycon.com/papo/images/big_38912.jpg). What detail in his appearance, as given in the Latin, is missing in this model? But what does at least suggest that detail? QUAESTIONES: Quis erat Pythia et quam ob rem Herculi labores praeceperat? (vide capitula XIX et XX) Cur volebat Eurystheus Herculem in Orcum mittere? Cur erat tam difficile Cerberum ex Orco trahere? Qualis erat Cerberi species?

50. CHARON’S FERRY DƝ sƝde mortuǀrum, quam poƝtae Orcum appellant, haec trƗduntur. Ut quisque dƝ vitƗ dƝcesserat, mƗnƝs eius

ad Orcum Ɨ deǀ Mercuriǀ dƝdnjcƝbantur. Huius regiǀnis, quae sub terrƗ fuisse dƯcitur, rƝx erat Plnjtǀn, cui uxor

erat Prǀserpina, Iovis et Cereris fƯlia. MƗnƝs igitur ϣƗ Mercuriǀ dƝductƯϤ prƯmum ad rƯpam veniƝbant Stygis, quǀ

flnjmine rƝgnum Plnjtǀnis continƝbƗtur. Hoc trƗnsƯre necesse erat ϣpriusquam in Orcum venƯre possentϤ. Cum

tamen in hǀc flnjmine nnjllus pǀns factus esset, mƗnƝs trƗnsvƝhebantur Ɨ Charonte quǀdam, quƯ cum parvƗ lintre

ad rƯpam exspectƗbat. Charǀn prǀ hǀc officiǀ mercƝdem postulƗbat, neque quemquam, nisi quƯ hanc prius

dederat, trƗnsvehere volƝbat. Quam ob causam mǀs erat apud antƯquǀs nummum in ǀre mortuƯ pǀnere eǀ

cǀnsiliǀ, ut, cum ad Styga vƝnisset, pretium trƗiectnjs solvere posset. EƯ autem ϣquƯ post mortem in terrƗ nǀn

sepultƯ erantϤ Stygem trƗnsƯre nǀn poterant, sed in rƯpƗ per centum annǀs errƗre cǀgƝbantur; tum dƝmum Orcum

intrƗre licƝbat.

Map of the Underworld, showing the routes taken by two later heroes, Odysseus (Ulysses) and Aeneas. The name Hades applies both to the god-king of the dead (Pluto to the Romans) and to the place itself. In Homer’s Odyssey, the entrance to Hades is at the western edge of the world, on the Atlantic coast of Europe. But in Vergil’s Aeneid it is through a cave near the Bay of Naples in Italy. Nearly every human culture imagines death as a place, with entrance requirements and a definite landscape; why do you suppose that is so?

© CarlosParada, Greek Mythology Link.

Hermes greets Charon. Hermes (Mercurius) had many functions in Greek myth, among them the “Guide of Souls” (Psychopompus), who led the dead to the Styx. He is identified by his magic traveling-hat (petasus) and messenger’s staff (caduceus) with twin serpents at its head.

Here is how Vergil describes Charon:

“A fearsome ferryman guards these waters and rivers, Charon, of indescribable filth, on whose chin lies a great grey beard, unkempt, his eyes ablaze with fire, a foul cloak hangs from his shoulders by a knot. He himself pushes the boat with his pole and sees to its sails, and he carries the corpses in his rust-colored skiff, now on in years, but with a god’s fresh green old age.”

51. THE REALM OF PLUTO Ut autem mƗnƝs Styga hǀc modǀ trƗnsierant, ad alterum flnjmen veniƝbant, quod LƝthƝ appellƗbƗtur. Ex hǀc

flnjmine aquam bibere cǀgƝbantur; quod cum fƝcissent, rƝs omnƝs ϣin vƯtƗ gestƗsϤ Ɲ memoriƗ dƝpǀnƝbant.

DƝnique ad sƝdem ipsƯus Plnjtǀnis veniƝbant, cuius introitus Ɨ cane Cerberǀ custǀdiƝbƗtur. Ibi Plnjtǀn ϣnigrǀ

vestƯtnj indnjtusϤ cum uxǀre PrǀserpinƗ in soliǀ sedƝbat. StƗbant etiam nǀn procul ab eǀ locǀ tria alia solia, in

quibus sedƝbant MƯnǀs, Rhadamanthus, Aeacusque, injdicƝs apud Ưnferǀs. HƯ injs dƯcƝbant et praemia

poenƗsque cǀnstituƝbant. BonƯ enim in campǀs Ɯlysiǀs, sƝdem beƗtǀrum, veniƝbant; improbƯ autem in Tartarum

mittƝbantur, ac multƯs variƯsque suppliciƯs ibi excruciƗbantur.

The divine brothers Zeus, Hades, and Poseidon once drew lots for their different realms. Zeus got the sky and the world, Hades the Underworld, and Poseidon the sea and waters. Hades had a difficult time getting a wife to share his gloomy kingdom with him, so, with Zeus’ approval, he kidnapped Persephone (his own neice) and took her below to be his wife. The girl’s mother, Demeter (Ceres) so grieved for her that no crops grew and human beings began to die. Zeus was afraid that no mortals would be left to worship the gods, so he arranged that Persephone should spend part of the year with her husband in the Underworld, part of the year on earth with her mother. Hades is assisted in the management of the dead by the three Cretan kings Minos, Rhadamanthys, and Aeacus. What do you think these myths mean? Marble statue group from Heraklion Museum, Crete: Hades (Pluton), Cerberus, and Persephone (Proserpina).

Quaestiones: Quid accidit mortuis postquam aquam e flumine Lethe biberunt? Qualem vestitum habebat Pluton? Quid faciebant tres iudices apud inferos? In quam partem mittebantur boni? improbi?

52. HERCULES CROSSES THE STYX HerculƝs postquam imperia EurystheƯ accƝpit, in Lacǀniam ad Taenarum statim sƝ contulit; ibi enim spƝlunca

erat ingentƯ magnitnjdine, per quam, ut trƗditur, hominƝs ad Orcum dƝscendƝbant. Eǀ cum vƝnisset, ex incolƯs

quaesƯvit ϣquǀ in locǀ spƝlunca illa sita esset; quod cum cognǀvisset, sine morƗ dƝscendere cǀnstituit. Nec

tamen sǀlus iter fƝcit; Mercurius enim et Minerva sƝ eƯ socios adinjnxerant. Ubi ad rƯpam Stygis vƝnit, HerculƝs

cǀnscendit, ut ad ulteriǀrem rƯpam trƗnsƯret. Cum tamen HerculƝs esset ingentƯ magnitnjdine corporis, Charǀn

solvere nolƝbat; magnopere enim verƝbƗtur ϣnƝ linter sua ϥtantǀ pondere onerƗtaϦ in mediǀ flnjmine mergerƝtur.

Tandem tamen ϣminƯs Herculis territusϤ Charǀn solvit, et eum incolumem ad ulteriǀrem rƯpam trƗnsvexit.

http://www.theoi.com/image/K26.5Herakles.jpg

Hermes (Mercurius) and Athene (Minerva) always help heroes. These deities sometimes furnish magic weapons and skills (such as invisibility), and give the hero abilities of quick thinking, clever strategy, and good planning. Here Herakles sits on his own altar while Hermes plays the flute to honor him and Athene pours an offering of wine, which he catches in his wine-cup.

Quaestiones: Responde Latine! Ubi descendebant homines ad Orcum? Quid cognovit Hercules ex incolis Taenari in Laconia? Cur nolebat Charon Herculem trans Styga transvehere? Quo modo persuasit Hercules Charonti ut lintrem solveret?

Charon ferries the hero across the Styx. From the television series “Hercules.”

www.chimerasrealm.com/hercules/charon.htm

53. THE LAST LABOR IS ACCOMPLISHED

Nice doggy … Herakles prepares to put a chain around Cerberus’s neck; Athene stands behind him, to the left. Amphora of the Andocides Painter, Paris. Photograph by Maria Daniels, courtesy of the Musée du Louvre.

After chaining Cerberus, Herakles leads him out of the Underworld. Hermes (Mercurius), with hat, sandals, cape, and caduceus, helps to guide him. Persephone (Proserpina) stands to the left, watching and Athene is off to the right. Note that these two images show Cerberus as having only two heads. http://www.theoi.com/image/M12.3Kerberos.jpg

Postquam Styga hǀc modǀ trƗnsiit, HerculƝs in sƝdem ipsƯus Plnjtǀnis vƝnit; tum causam veniendƯ docuit, atque

ab eǀ petƯvit ϣut Cerberum auferre sibi licƝret. Plnjtǀn, quƯ dƝ Hercule audƯverat, eum benignƝ excƝpit, et

facultƗtem ϣquam ille petƝbatϤ libenter dedit. PostulƗvit tamen ϣut HerculƝs ipse, cum iussa EurystheƯ fƝcisset,

Cerberum in Orcum rnjrsus rednjceret. HerculƝs hoc pollicitus est, et Cerberum, quem nǀn sine magnǀ perƯculǀ

manibus prehenderat, summǀ cum labǀre ex Orcǀ in lnjcem atque ad urbem EurystheƯ trƗxit. Eǀ cum vƝnisset,

tantus timor animum EurystheƯ occupavit ϣut ex Ɨtriǀ statim refugeret; cum autem paulum sƝ ex timǀre

recƝpisset, multƯs cum lacrimƯs Herculem obsecrƗvit ϣut mǀnstrum sine morƗ in Orcum rednjceret. SƯc contrƗ

omnium opƯniǀnem duodecim illƯ labǀrƝs ϣquǀs Pythia praecƝperatϤ intrƗ duodecim annǀs cǀnfectƯ sunt; quae

cum ita essent, HerculƝs ϣservitnjte tandem lƯberƗtusϤ magnǀ cum gaudiǀ ThƝbƗs rediit.

Herakles brings Cerberus to king Eurystheus, who is hiding in a jar. Hydria 520 BC. http://www.uncg.edu/cla/slides/cerberusvase.jpg

54. THE CENTAUR NESSUS PosteƗ HerculƝs multa alia praeclƗra perfƝcit, quae perscrƯbere longum est. Tandem ϣiam aetƗte prǀvectusϤ

DƝianƯram, OeneƯ fƯliam, in mƗtrimǀnium dnjxit. Tribus post annƯs accidit casnj ϣut puerum quendam occƯderet, cui

nǀmen erat Eunomus. Cum autem mǀs esset ϣut, sƯ quis hominem casnj occƯdisset, in exsilium Ưret, HerculƝs

cum uxǀre suƗ Ɲ fƯnibus cƯvitƗtis exƯre mƗtnjrƗvit. Dum iter faciunt, ad flnjmen quoddam pervƝnƝrunt ϣin quǀ nnjllus

pǀns erat. Dum quaerunt ϣquǀ modǀ flnjmen trƗnsƯre possent, accurrit centaurus Nessus, quƯ viƗtǀribus auxilium

obtulit. HerculƝs uxǀrem suam in tergum eius imposuit; tum ipse flnjmen trƗnƗvit. At Nessus ϣpaulum in aquam

prǀgressusϤ ad rƯpam subitǀ revertit ac DƝianƯram auferre cǀnƗtus est. Quod cum animadvertisset HerculƝs,

graviter commǀtusϤ arcum intendit et pectus NessƯ sagittƗ trƗnsfƯxit.

In this wall-painting from Pompeii, we see Nessus offering his help in crossing the river. Deianeira, a little afraid, stands in their chariot while Hercules, holding their son and leaning on his club, stands near Nessus, thinking the offer over. Notice how Nessus is looking up and slightly toward Deianeira.

Those centaurs: always causing trouble! With two exceptions (Chiron and Pholus), the centaurs are presented in Greek myth as uncivilized brutes, rude to strangers, lustful, and drunkards. In this 6th cent. BC amphora from Attica, Nessus tries to carry off Deianeira while Herakles kills him with a sword (not arrows); Deianeira calls out for help. Athene stands behind the hero, while another centaur stands by Nessus.

Staatliche Antikensammlung, Munich.

55. THE POISONED ROBE

Itaque Nessus ϣsagittƗ Herculis trƗnsfƯxusϤ moriƝns

humƯ iacƝbat; sed ϣnƝ occƗsiǀnem suƯ ulcƯscendƯ

dƯmitteret, ita locnjtus est: "Tnj, DƝianƯra, verba

morientis audƯ. SƯ amǀrem marƯtƯ tuƯ cǀnservƗre vƯs,

hunc sanguinem ϣquƯ nunc Ɲ pectore meǀ effunditurϤ

snjme ac repǀne; tum, sƯ HerculƝs umquam in

suspiciǀnem tibi vƝnerit, vestem eius hǀc sanguine

tingue." ϣHaec locnjtusϤ Nessus animam efflƗvit;

DƝianƯra autem ϣnihil malƯ suspicƗnsϤ eius iussa fƝcit.

Paulǀ post HerculƝs bellum contrƗ Eurytum, rƝgem

Oechaliae, suscƝpit. Cum rƝgem ipsum cum fƯliƯs

interfƝcisset, IolƝn tamen eius fƯliamϤ sƝcum rednjxit.

Sed ϣpriusquam domum pervƝnit, nƗvem ad

CƝnaeum appulit, et ϣin terram ƝgressusϤ Ɨram

cǀnstituit, ut IovƯ sacrificium faceret. Dum sacrificium

parat, Licham comitem suum domum mƯsit, quƯ

vestem albam referret; mǀs enim erat apud antƯquǀs,

cum sacrificia facerent, albam vestem gerere. At

DƝianƯra ϣveritaϤ ϥnƝ HerculƝs amǀrem ergƗ IolƝn

habƝret, vestem priusquam Lichae dedit, sanguine

NessƯ tƯnxit.

Poor naïve Deianira. Hoping to keep Hercules in love with her, she was too easily tricked by the evil centaur Nessus. Here she (not Lichas) gives her husband the robe on which she has smeared the dying Nessus’s blood, which will cause Hercules unbearable agony and, finally, death. London E 370, Attic red figure pelike, c. 440-430 B.C. Hercules trades in his old lionskin for the new cloak Deianira has woven him. Photograph courtesy of the Trustees of the British Museum, London

56. THE DEATH OF HERCULES

HerculƝs ϣnihil malƯ suspicƗnsϤ vestem ϣquam LichƗs

attuleratϤ statim induit. Paulǀ post magnum dolǀrem sƝnsit et

ϣquae causa esset eius reƯϤ magnopere mƯrƗbƗtur. Dolǀre

paene exanimƗtusϤ vestem dƝtrahere cǀnƗtus est; illa tamen

in corpore haesit, neque njllǀ modǀ dƝtrahƯ potuit. Tum

dƝmum HerculƝs ϣquasi furǀre impulsusϤ in montem Oetam

sƝ contulit, atque in rogum, quem summƗ celeritƗte extrnjxit,

sƝ imposuit. Hoc cum fƝcisset, eǀs ϣquƯ circumstƗbantϤ ǀrƗvit

ϣut rogum quam celerrimƝ succenderent. OmnƝs dinj

recnjsƗbant; tandem tamen pƗstor quƯdam ϣad misericordiam

inductusϤ ignem subdidit. Tum, dum omnia fnjmǀ

obscnjrantur, HerculƝs ϣdƝnsƗ nnjbe tƝctusϤ Ɨ Iove in

Olympum abreptus est.

Munich 2360, Attic red figure pelike, c. 410 B.C. Athena and Hercules

leave the funeral pyre, headed for Mount Olympus. Photograph copyright

Staatl. Antikensammlungen und Glyptothek, München

Peace for the hero at last. Above, Herakles feasts with Athena. Munich 2301, Attic bilingual amphora. Staatl. Antikensammlungen und Glyptothek, München Right, he takes as his new, divine bride Hebe, goddess of youth. Philadelphia MS5462, Attic red figure pyxis, c. 350 B.C. Photograph by Maria Daniels, courtesy of the University of Pennsylvania Museum