Pillars of Heracles
The Pillars of Heracles were the two promontories at the Strait of Gibraltar — the boundary between the known Mediterranean world and the terrifying, unknown Atlantic beyond.
The Story of Pillars of Heracles
Heracles set up the two pillars during his tenth labour (the cattle of Geryon) to mark the western limit of the known world. One pillar was the Rock of Gibraltar; the other was identified with either Monte Hacho or Jebel Musa in Morocco. The inscription "Non Plus Ultra" (Nothing Further Beyond) warned that the world ended here. After Columbus, Spain's motto became "Plus Ultra" — there IS more beyond. The pillars appear on Spain's coat of arms and, through it, on the dollar sign ($).
Symbols
Fun Fact
The dollar sign ($) may derive from the Pillars of Heracles on the Spanish coat of arms — the ancient boundary of the world is on every American bill.
Words We Inherited
English words and phrases that trace back to this myth. See our full guide to English words from Greek mythology.
Explore Further
Lilybaeum
🏛 placegeography
The westernmost promontory of Sicily, near where Odysseus encountered the land of the dead in some traditions.
Sacred Way
🏛 placepilgrimage, offering
The processional road ascending to Apollo's temple at Delphi, lined with treasuries and monuments dedicated by Greek city-states from their military victories.
Thermopylae
🏛 placePass of the Hot Gates
Thermopylae was the narrow coastal pass where 300 Spartans and their allies made their legendary stand against the Persian invasion of 480 BC.
Delphi
🏛 placeSite of Apollo's Oracle, navel of the world
The most important oracle in ancient Greece, where the Pythia delivered Apollo's prophecies. The Greeks considered Delphi the center — the navel — of the world.
Isthmus of Corinth
🏛 placegeography
The narrow land bridge between mainland Greece and the Peloponnese, site of the Isthmian Games and Sinis the bandit.
Colchis
🏛 placeLand of the Golden Fleece
Colchis was a kingdom at the eastern edge of the Greek world, on the shore of the Black Sea in modern Georgia, famous as the destination of Jason and the Argonauts.
Terminus
⚡ godBoundaries, property markers, borders
Roman god of boundary stones and property limits, with no direct Greek equivalent
Corinth
🏛 placeCity of Sisyphus and Medea
Corinth was a wealthy trading city on the narrow isthmus connecting mainland Greece to the Peloponnese, associated with Sisyphus, Medea, Bellerophon, and Pegasus.
Isles of the Blessed
🏛 placeafterlife
Ultimate paradise beyond even Elysium, reserved for souls who achieved three virtuous incarnations according to Orphic-Platonic teaching.
Delphi Treasury of Athens
🏛 placevictory, piety
The marble treasury built by Athens at Delphi from Marathon spoils, the best-preserved building on the Sacred Way and a permanent advertisement of Athenian victory over Persia.
Libya
🏛 placeGeography
The ancient Greek name for the entire continent of Africa, personified as a daughter of Epaphus and Memphis
Mount Olympus
🏛 placedivine, throne
The highest mountain in Greece and mythological home of the twelve Olympian gods, whose snow-covered peak was believed to pierce the boundary between earth and heaven.