Greek mythology abounds with various legends.Each of them - a fascinating tale of courage and resourcefulness heroes.For one of these legends is the myth of Hercules.Greek mythology describes the whole life of the hero, without neglecting any detail.
Birth of a Hero
Courage, courage and compassion - that's what the story is a myth.Birth of Hercules, the son of a mere mortal Alcmene and Zeus the Great, is not included in the plans of Hera.She held her birth, and the queen hastened the birth of Eurystheus, who comes great-grandson of Zeus.And, according to the promise of the great god, Eurystheus gets power over Peloponnese.Hera is sent to kids Alcmene two snakes.But showed incredible strength of Hercules.The infant strangled them.
According to another legend, which tells the story of the appearance of the Milky Way, Hera tricked breastfeed Hercules.But he sucked so hard that she was forced to fling it, and drops of milk turned into the Milky Way.
myth of Hercules states that the education of the young hero engaged Autolycus, Eurytus, Castor and wise centaur Chiron.They trained the youth wrestling, playing the cittern and archery.But after the incident with Lin, who decided to punish him for disobedience, Hercules drove to Mount Cithaeron.
twelve labors of Hercules
Myths and legends of Hercules give different versions of the exploits of the hero.According to one of them, he went to serve Eurystheus after the murder of their children in a fit of insane.Other versions say that Hera cast a Hercules insane after them 12 achievements exploits.After that, the hero went into slavery Lydian queen Omphale.The latest version is more common in the literature.
After liberation from the terrible neighborhoods Kiferona lion which ravaged all around, on the advice of the oracle of Heracles is sent to the service of Eurystheus.During the twelve years of service to the king, he had to perform ten labors.The cunning ruler of some of the acts of the hero is not credited.
first feat of Hercules considered mining skins Nemean lion, which was invulnerable.Hero strangled animals and from his "coat" made his cloak.
The following feat hero helped his nephew Iolaus, because of which he was not credited.Hercules and Iolaus wiped Lernaean hydra with nine heads, one of which was immortal.Kill it prevented an enormous cancer Karkin.He grabbed up the hero.Iolaus cauterized the wound with fire hydra, which served as a barrier to the emergence of new goals.
myth tells the story of Hercules and other heroic deeds of the demigod.These include:
- capture the magic deer with golden horns;
- receive Erymanthian boar;
- Stymphalian destruction of birds feeding on human beings;
- cleaning out the Augean stables;
- capture of the Cretan bull.
latest feat was a way into the realm of the dead for Cerberus, which then had to go back.
last days of the life of the hero
After many trials, Hercules married Diyanire.It is because of the jealousy of the captive, which brought a husband, soaked poisonous blood of the centaur his clothes.When he put it on, it immediately rooted to the body and slowly began to kill the hero.According to legend, Hercules gained immortality and joined the gods on Mount this.After the ascension to Olympus, he married the daughter of Zeus and Hera.
myth of Hercules and the trials that fell to his lot, is popular to this day and is reflected in films and theater productions.
