Apples of the Hesperides (Labour)
conceptThe eleventh labour of Heracles: obtaining the golden apples from the garden at the edge of the world, guarded by the dragon Ladon.
The Myth
He tricked Atlas into doing the job — then tricked him again when Atlas refused to take the sky back. Heracles traveled to the garden of the Hesperides, where golden apples grew on a tree given to Hera by Gaia. The dragon Ladon guarded them. In one version, Heracles held the sky while Atlas fetched the apples. When Atlas returned, he refused to take the sky back. Heracles asked him to hold it for just a moment while he adjusted a pad on his shoulders — then walked away. In another version, Heracles killed Ladon directly. Athena returned the apples to the garden, since they were divine property. The labour forced Heracles to use wit where strength alone could not prevail.
Symbols
Fun Fact
The golden apples had to be returned — they were too divine for the mortal world to keep.
Explore Further
Heracles (Divine Hero)
heroThe son of Zeus and Alcmene who performed twelve impossible labours and was the only hero to...
Heracles (Labours)
heroHeracles performed twelve seemingly impossible labours as penance for killing his family in a...
Hesperides
nymphThe Hesperides tended golden apple trees at the western edge of the world.
Ladon
creatureLadon was the serpent-dragon with a hundred heads who guarded the golden apples in the Garden of...
Ladon (Dragon)
creatureThe hundred-headed serpent-dragon that guarded the golden apples in the Garden of the Hesperides,...
Athena
godGoddess of wisdom and strategic warfare, born fully armored from the head of Zeus. Patron deity of...
Athena (Warrior)
godAthena was the goddess of wisdom, strategic war, and craftsmanship — born fully armoured from...
Athena (Wisdom Warrior)
godThe warrior-goddess born from Zeus's head who embodied strategic intelligence, craft, and the...
Athena Promachos
godAn epithet of Athena meaning "the Champion" or "who fights in front," represented by a colossal...
Atlas
titanThe Titan who was condemned to hold the celestial sphere on his shoulders for eternity. His name...
Atlas (Pillar of Heaven)
titanThe Titan condemned to bear the weight of the heavens on his shoulders at the western edge of the...
Gaia
primordialGaia was the primordial Earth goddess, the first being to emerge after Chaos — mother of the...