Professor Alastair Blanshard discusses the legendary hero Heracles, his 12 labours, and his enduring presence in various media forms. The podcast explores Heracles' trials, triumphs, and mythical adventures, including battling the Nemean lion and capturing Cerberus. Learn about the tragic events surrounding Heracles' death and transformation into a god.
Heracles' labors showcased his strength in overcoming formidable challenges.
Heracles' approach to tasks varied from diplomacy to brute force tactics.
Heracles' victories displayed his agility, strategy, and resourcefulness in different scenarios.
Heracles' enduring legacy portrays him as a symbol of strength, heroism, and resilience.
Heracles' adventures include defeating monsters, navigating challenges, and showcasing courage and wit.
Heracles' deeds inspire storytelling and mythological figures, resonating across cultures for centuries.
Deep dives
Heracles' First Labor: Nemean Lion
Heracles' first task is to defeat the Nemean Lion, known for its impenetrable hide. Using his strength, he crushes the lion's ribs and kills it. Heracles then skins the lion, wearing its pelt as a symbol of his victory.
Heracles' Second Labor: Lernean Hydra
Heracles faces the Lernean Hydra, a serpent with multiple heads that regrow when severed. With the help of his nephew, Iolaus, Heracles defeats the beast by cauterizing its neck stumps after beheading each head, acquiring its toxic venom for his arrows.
Heracles' Third Labor: Ceryneian Hind
Heracles embarks on a mission to capture the Ceryneian Hind, a deer sacred to Artemis known for its speed and elusive nature. Employing his agility and strategy, Heracles captures the hind without harming it.
Heracles' Fourth Labor: Erymanthian Boar
Heracles is tasked with subduing the Erymanthian Boar, a ferocious creature terrorizing Arcadia. Overcoming the beast's aggression with his strength, Heracles captures it, marking another successful labor in his legendary feats.
Heracles' Fifth Labor: Augean Stables
Heracles cleanses King Augeas' stables, notorious for their filth and neglect, as part of his labors. By redirecting a river to wash away the accumulated waste, Heracles completes this seemingly menial but significant task.
Heracles' Sixth Labor: Stymphalian Birds
Heracles combats the Stymphalian Birds, aggressive creatures sacred to Ares armed with bronze feathers. Using a rattle to frighten the birds, he defeats them with his poisoned arrows dipped in the Hydra's venom.
Heracles' Seventh Labor: Cretan Bull
Heracles confronts the Cretan Bull, a fierce beast plaguing Crete after being cursed by Poseidon. Subduing the rampaging bull, Heracles extends his trials beyond the Peloponnese, showcasing his prowess and courage.
Heracles' Eighth Labor: Mares of Diomedes
Heracles overcomes Diomedes' fierce man-eating mares, untamed horses bred to consume human flesh in Thrace. By taming the wild creatures through a strategic sacrifice, he showcases his dominance over formidable opponents.
Heracles' Ninth Labor: Belt of Hippolyta
Heracles is tasked with obtaining the belt of Hippolyta, the Queen of the Amazons. Displaying diplomacy rather than brute force, he secures the coveted belt through negotiation, highlighting his versatility in achieving his objectives.
Heracles' Tenth Labor: Cattle of Geryon
Heracles commands the cattle of Geryon, the monstrous herdsman of the Far West, Spanning his trials across Europe, he successfully brings the prized cattle from the island of Erytheia to Eurystheus, showcasing his endurance and resourcefulness.
Heracles' Eleventh Labor: Apples of Hesperides
Heracles ventures to the Western isles to retrieve the golden apples of the Hesperides, guarded by Atlas. Striking a deal with Atlas to hold the heavens, Heracles secures the apples, outwitting Atlas and demonstrating his cunning in overcoming challenges.
Heracles' Twelfth Labor: Cerberus
Heracles descends into the underworld to capture Cerberus, the fearsome three-headed dog guarding Hades' realm. Wrestling the formidable hound to the surface, Heracles maintains his courage and strength, completing his iconic trials with triumph.
Heracles' Legacy and Mythology
Heracles' epic exploits and legendary labors form the foundation of his enduring legacy as a symbol of strength, heroism, and overcoming adversity. The tales of his deeds, from defeating monsters to navigating divine challenges, paint a complex portrait of a hero both mortal and divine, resonating across cultures and inspiring further storytelling and mythological figures for centuries to come.
Tristan Hughes continues the Greek Gods and Goddesses series with today’s deity; the most popular mythical hero of them all: Heracles, or Hercules. Same hero.
His story has never faded, reimagined in various media formats from Hollywood and Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, to Disney, to The Ancients podcast. Professor Alastair Blanshard joins Tristan to discuss who Heracles was, what were some of the many myths surrounding this hero, and what were his 12 labours?
Presented by Tristan Hughes and produced by Joseph Knight. The audio editor is Aidan Lonergan and the senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff. Scriptwriter is Andrew Hulse. Voice Actor is Nichola Wooley
The Ancients is a podcast from History Hit.
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