The myth of Hercules: the path to immortality

Greek mythology is replete with various legends. Each of them is a fascinating tale of the courage and resourcefulness of the characters. One of these legends is the myth of Hercules. Greek mythology describes the entire life of the hero, not leaving without attention a single detail.

The birth of a hero

Courage, masculinity and compassion - that's what the myth tells about. The birth of Hercules, the son of the mere mortal Alcmene and the great Zeus, was not part of Hera's plans. She delayed the birth of the queen and accelerated the birth of Eurystheus, who was the great-grandson of Zeus. And, according to this great promise of God, Eurystheus takes power over the Peloponnese. Hera sent two snakes to the children of Alkmen. But the incredible power of Hercules was manifested. The baby strangled them.

According to another legend, which tells the story of the emergence of the Milky Way, Geroux was forced to feed Hercules with cunning. But he sucked so hard that she was forced to throw him away, and a drop of milk turned into the Milky Way.

The Myth of Hercules Says that the education of the young hero was engaged Autolycus, Heuritus, Castor and wise centaur Chiron. They taught the young man wrestling, playing cithara and archery. But after the incident with Lin, who decided to punish him for disobedience, Hercules was banished to Mount Keeferon.

Twelve feats of Hercules

Myths and legends about Hercules Give different versions of the exploits of the hero. According to one of them, he went to serve Eurystheus after killing his children in a frenzied fit. Other versions indicate that Hera sent madness to Hercules after accomplishing 12 feats. After this, the hero went into slavery to the Lydian Queen Omphale. The latest version is more often found in the literature.

After the liberation of the surroundings of Kieferon from the terrible lion that devastated everything around, Hercules, on the advice of the oracle, goes to the service of Eurystheus. During the twelve-year service to the king, he had to perform ten feats. A wise ruler did not count some of the hero's deeds.

The first feat of Hercules is the prey of the skin of a Nemean lion, who was invulnerable. The hero strangled the beast, and from his "fur coat" made himself a cloak.

In the next feat the hero was helped by his nephew Iolaus, because of what he was not credited. Hercules and Iolaus destroyed the Lernaean hydra with nine heads, one of which was immortal. Karkin, a huge cancer, was hurting her. He clung to the hero's leg. Iolaus burned hydra wounds with fire, which served as an obstacle to the appearance of new heads.

The myth of Hercules tells about other exploits of the demigod. These include:

• The capture of a magic fallow deer with golden horns;
• Receipt of the Erimanthus boar;
• Destruction of Stymphalian birds feeding on humans;
• Cleaning of augean stables ;
• Capture of the Cretan bull.

The last feat was the way to the realm of the dead after Cerberus, who later had to be returned.

The last days of the hero's life

After many trials, Hercules married Dijanira. She because of jealousy of the captive, which brought her husband, soaked the poisonous blood of his centaur's clothing. When he put it on, she immediately grew to her body and slowly began to kill the hero. According to legend, Hercules gained immortality and joined the gods on Mount This. After ascension to Olympus, he married the daughter of Hera and Zeus.

The myth of Hercules and the trials that fell on his fate, is popular to this day and finds reflection in films and theatrical productions.