The Twelve Labours of Heracles

Greatest of the Greek heroes, demigod of strength

The greatest hero of Greek mythology, son of Zeus and the mortal Alcmene. Famous for his extraordinary strength and his Twelve Labors.

fate

King of Mycenae who assigned Heracles his twelve labours, born prematurely through Hera's manipulation to gain power over the demigod.

Invulnerable beast of Nemea

The Nemean Lion was a monstrous lion with an impenetrable golden hide that no weapon could pierce — the first of Heracles' twelve labours.

Multi-headed serpent of Lerna

A monstrous water serpent with multiple heads that grew two more whenever one was cut off. Slaying the Hydra was Heracles's second labor.

Three-headed hound guarding the underworld

The three-headed dog that guarded the gates of the underworld, preventing the dead from leaving and the living from entering.

Titan condemned to hold up the sky

The Titan who was condemned to hold the celestial sphere on his shoulders for eternity. His name became synonymous with endurance and with books of maps.

None recorded

Queen of the Amazons whose magical belt was the object of Heracles' ninth labour

Three-bodied giant of the west

Geryon was a giant with three bodies joined at the waist who owned magnificent red cattle at the world's western edge — Heracles' tenth labour was to steal them.