Transcript Slide 1

IO and her descendants
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ARGIVE PLAIN: richest area in Greece in myths and in Bronze
Age archaeological finds.
Oceanus +Tethys Oceanids; One of these = MELIA – ash tree
nymph
MELIA + INACHUS (Argive River god) 2 sons + daughter IO
Best known version:
IO = priestess of HERA, Zeus lusted after her, surrounded her
w/mist to hide affair from Hera. Hera suspicious of mysterious
cloud-investigated
Zeus turned IO into cow. Hera not fooled – asked for cow as gift.
H. tied cow to olive tree in grove near Mycenae & Set up
monster ARGUS (100 eyes, never slept) to watch her.
Zeus sent Hermes to free IO. When some eyes slept, some
would always be awake. Hermes’ sang lullaby to get all eyes
asleep + cut off his head. Hera put eyes in tail of peacock.
ARGEÏPHONTES – epitithet of HERMES – “Argos-killer”.
Wanderings of IO
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Hera now sent gadfly to torment IO. Stung constantly.
Wanderings =
Greece to northwest
IONIAN sea
Across PINDUS range to Macedonia
Through THRACE to straights diving EUROPE from ASIA =
BOSPORUS  ‘cow-crossing’
SCYTHIA (southern Russia), Anatolia Caucaus mnts.
May possibly be HERA herself in origin?
Hera’s animal = the cow
Called “BOÔPIS” “cow-eyed” by Homer.
Greeks identified IO with the Egyptian goddess ISIS. ??????
HATHOR????
IO – descendants =
OCEANUS
+TETHYS
MELIA +
INACHUS
IO
+ZEUS
EPAPHUS
+Memphis
AGENOR
BELUS
AEGYPT
US
DANAÜS
49 daughters
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Hypermnestra
49 Sons
+Lynceus
CEPHEUS
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Cassiopeä
ANDROME
DA
ABAS
ACRISIU
S
Zeus
+DANAE
PERSUES
PROETU
S
PHINEUS
EUROPA
CADMUS
MINOS
AGAVË
PHAEDR
A
PENTHEU
S
Perseus
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Perseus
Hero Story
Birth
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Grandfather = ACRISIUS king of ARGOS (a city in southern Greece.).
Twin brother of Acrisius = PROETUS. Enemies since birth. Supposed
to grow up to rule Argos together, instead when grew up they fought
over throne. Victorious A. forced P. into exile.
P. became king of TIRYNS (a city in ARGOLIS, the region surrounding
ARGOS. The huge blocks of stone which composed its fortifications
were said to have been the result of the labor of CYCLOPS, because of
their prodigious size. This belief is the origin for the modern term
CYCLOPEAN architecture.
Acrisius married to AGANIPPE. 1 child, daughter DANAË.
A. consulted an oracle, found that not only would he have no sons, but
his sole male heir – the son of Danaë would kill him.
Locked her in underground chamber. Danaë became pregnant anyway
Official version of the myth: ZEUS visited Danaë in the form of a
shower of gold.
A. found out- more than one version: some claim was immediate –
alerted by cry of baby, others say Danaë and son PERSEUS spent
more than a year imprisoned before they were discovered.
A. Put Danaë and son Perseus into a wooden chest and set them adrift
on the Aegean sea.
Zeus guided chest to island of SERIPHUS.
Cyclopean
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Name often applied to a primitive method of prehistoric
masonry construction, found throughout Greece, Italy,
and the Middle East. The term is derived from Cyclopes,
the mythological beings who were supposed to have
built walls in this manner. The Cyclopean technique
involves the use of huge, irregular boulders, carefully
fitted together without the use of mortar, thereby creating
a massive wall with an uneven face. These walls were
characteristic of Mycenaean civilization. Remaining
examples are found at Knossos, Mycenae, Tiryns, and
Athens. There are many Cyclopean walls in Etruscan
and Anatolian architecture. Somewhat similar examples
are seen in China, Japan, and Peru.
Titian (ca. 1553)
J. Gossaert (early 16th
century)
Rembrandt (ca. 1646)
Danaë.
Waterhouse, 1892.
Stolen 1947.
Gustav Klimt (1907-08)
SERIPHUS
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Brothers
POLYDECTES – king
DICTYS – poor fisherman
Dictys caught chest in his net and
rescued Danaë and Perseus. Took them
into his home claiming that they were
distant kin (actually true – (D. and P.
were descendants of DANAUS, a
former king of Argos).
Polydectes as 2nd Hostile Father Figure?
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P. fell in love with Danaë, asked her to marry him but she
refused. Perseus full grown and strong, so he was afraid to do
anything rash and pretended to accept her rejection, but in
actuality did not stop scheming.
Soon after P. announced his intention to ask for the hand of
HIPPODAMEIA, a daughter of king OENOMAUS of PISA (city in
southwestern Greece).
P. arranged banquet in which each guest traditionally woulfd
have brought a gift for the bride to be – P. Demanded that each
of his subjects bring a horse as a gift. Bad for Perseus – poor,
had no horses. P. might have have hoped that Perseus would
have been shamed into fleeing the kingdom. Perseus said that
instead of a horse he would bring anything P. wanted, even if it
was the head of Medusa. P. accepted – Task impossible to
survive.
The QUEST
• P. arranged banquet in which each guest
traditionally would have brought a gift for the
bride to be – P. Demanded that each of his
subjects bring a horse as a gift. Bad for Perseus
– poor, had no horses. P. might have have
hoped that Perseus would have been shamed
into fleeing the kingdom. Perseus said that
instead of a horse he would bring anything P.
wanted, even if it was the head of Medusa. P.
accepted – Task impossible to survive.
MEDUSA
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Version 1
One of three monstrous sisters called the Gorgons.
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Of the three only Medusa could be killed – other two were immortal.
Features of Gorgons
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EURYALE
STHENO
MEDUSA
Serpents for hair
Eyes that turned anyone who looked upon them into stone.
Huge snake-like tongues
Teeth as long and sharp as the tusks of a wild boars.
Bodies covered in scales so hard that no weapsns could pierce them.
Golden wings.
Claws forged of brass.
Version 2
Once a beautiful maiden. Turned away all suitors, but finally consented
to Poseidon – either in a field of flowers or in the shrine of Athena.
Angered the goddess – either jealous of M’s beauty, or angered that
she had defiled the temple of the goddess. Athena transformed the
once beautiful Medusa into the monster we all know and love.
Modern Portrayals
A few major problems:
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To kill Medusa the slayer must
approach her lair without being seen by
her or her two sisters.
In order not be ‘petrified’ would have to
slay her without looking at her face.
After the deed would need to escape
with tremendous speed to escape the
two remaining winged monsters.
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Perseus had help from ATHENA.
Brought Perseus to a cave on SERIPHUS
where some of the NAIADS lived. Lent to
Perseus
Winged sandals
The helmet of darkness (or cap of Hades) to
make him invisible.
A purse or pouch to carry the head.
HERMES then gave Perseus a sword (or
sickle) of ADAMANT – an unbreakable
material (metallic stone?).
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Perseus then traveled to a cave on the
mountain where ATLAS stood. In this cave
lived the GRAEAE “gray women” the sisters
of the Gorgons. These were ancient
(witches?) who had one eyes among them
had gray hair from birth. Passed the eye
around. Perseus hid and waited until one of
the sisters took out the eye and handed it
over to another – the only moment when they
were all blind. Grabbed they eye and held it,
refused to give it back until they told him the
location of the Gorgon’s lair. After getting the
information he needed, he tossed the eye into
lake TRITONIS and took off towards the
Gorgons.
SUCESS
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Lair of Medusa.
At the end of the earth in a land where neither sun or moon
ever shone.
Dozens of stone figures – remains of those who had ventured
there and glimpsed on e of the Gorgons.
Had polished shield before coming.
Used it to spy on the Gorgons without looking directly at hem.
Waited until they fell asleep.
Then still using reflection in shield, cut off the head of Medusa,
put the head in the pouch and flew away. Medusa’s sisters could
not see Perseus and their pursuit soon stopped.
((One version – Medusa still pregnant at time of death –
offspring sprang from her neck CHRYSAOR – renowned as a
warrior, and PEGASUS, the famous winged horse.)
Temple of Artemis at Corcyra (ca.
590 B.C.)
Canova (1801)
Cellini
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Flew back towards SERIPHUS. Journey was a long one –
needed to make several stops on way – very eventful.
Hesperides – (Only OVID)
Stopped there first – asked as a son of Zeus if he could rest
there
BUT
Titan Atlas who ruled Hesperides, knew prophecy of Titaness
Themis that a son of Zeus would steal the golden aplples.
Fiercly guarded them. Insulted Persues, denied his parentage
and rudely tried to force him out. P. asked Atlas if he would like
to see what was in the bag – turned his own head away and
lifted out the head, which turned Atlas to stone – into the
mountain MOUNT ATLAS  head still had petrifaction power
after death of Medusa. Most storytellers discount this, as one of
the labors of Heracles was to bring back the golden apples and
he had to trick Atlas to do this.
ANDROMEDA
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As Perseus flew over the coast of ETHIOPIA on his way home he saw
figure of a woman chained to a rock below – thought that she was a
carved marble statue at first, then saw that she was crying. Got her
story:
Name was ANDROMEDA the daughter of CEPHEUS (depending on
source the king of either ETHIOPIA or JOPPA, city of the Levantine
sea-coast) and CASSIOPEIA. C. had boasted that she was more
beautiful than the Nereids, the sea nymphs that served as the god’s
attendants. To punish Casseopia’s vanity, Poseidon had flooded the
kingdom and sent a sea monster to ravage Ethiopia.
Advice of oracle – Adromeda chained to rock as sacrifice.
Begged for help from Perseus.
Got promise from C. to reward him with A.’s hand in marriage and a
kingdom if he succeeded. C. agreed.
When sea monster surfaced P. dived onto its back and following a
raging battle that stained the sea red with blood, killed it.
Freed Andromeda from her chains and brought her to her parents –
then damanded that C. live up to his end of the bargain.
Paul Veronese
Fresco in the House of the Priest
Amandus.Pompeii (ca. A.D. 40)
Rubens
FERDINAND- VICTOR-EUGENE
DELACROIX
MIGNARD, Pierre
Gustave Doré
Sir Edward John Poynter
Problem
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A. already promised to C.’s brother PHINEUS
– a detail C. had mitted to mention. Phineus
had not lifted a hand to save Andromeda, but
still refused to step aside for her savior.
Cepheus properly grateful, kept his promise
to Perseus by arranging a quick wedding.
Phineus interrupted the wedding with an army
behind him to assert his prior claim on
Andromeda. However, even outnumbered
Persues emerged victorious, by using the
head of Medusa to turn Phineus’ his rival and
allies to stone.
Marriage
• Perseus then married Andromeda. Unlike most
of gods and heroes of Classical mythology
remained faithfull to her.
• Couple remained with her parents for a year
after their marriage, Andromeda gave birth to
their first son PERSES.
• When Perseus resumed his journey back to
Seriphus, he and Andromeda left infant Perses
with Cepheus – since Cepheus had no heirs
Perses would inherit his kingdom – Perses
descendants would travel east and rule Persia,
the land that was named after Perses.
Returned to Seriphus.
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Persues found his mother taking refuge at the altar of the gods.
As soon as Perseus had left on his quest King Polydectes had
tried to attack her, and his brother Dictys had taken her to the
altar a sacred ground where Polydectes dared not assault her.
Perseus headed for the palace and found the king at a banquet,
Perseus burst in and announced that he had brought the
promised gift. Polydectes challenged his word and his honor –
Persues then averted his eyes and held up the head turning
Polydectes and all his guests into stone. Persues then gave
Dictys the throne vacated by the petrifaction of Polydectes. He
then returned the borrowed weapons to Hermes. In gratitude to
Athena Persues mounted his trophy, the head of Medusa on the
shield of the goddess – the head, surrounded by snake’s heads
on the center of her AEGIS, became Athena’s most distinctive
emblem.
Caravaggio
Observations: Danae
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folktale pattern of the "girl's tragedy"
prohibition
seclusion
violation of the prohibition
threat of death
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liberation
Perseus' own folktale pattern: the quest
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threat to a member of the family;
hero sent on a quest (in connection with this threat);
hero uses magic agents in his quest;
hero travels to a far-awayland;
he fights with a villain or monster;
he is temporarily overcome but eventually beats his
enemy;
though pursued he escapes;
he comes home and is recognized;
he punishes the original villain who threatened his
family;
the hero marries and ascends the throne.
interpretations of the beheading of
Medusa
» Freud 
» Gorgon’s head = female genitals
» Snakes = phallic symbol – protection against
castration
» Beheading = casting off of influence of the mother
» "Gorgo" as demon in Homer--the "evil eye"?
» Sometimes APOTROPAIC function.
Perseus' Descendants & Birth of Heracles
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Pseudo-Hesiod, Shield of Heracles
excerpt from Homer's Iliad - Oath of
Zeus, birth of Eurystheus
role and fate of Galanthis (in Ovid's
account)
Perseus’ Descendant and the
Birth of Heracles
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Perseus’s son ELECTRYON married own niece ANAXO
Had ALCEMENA
Heracles/Hercules
Story Centers on Hero
Conception & Birth
Son of Zeus and mortal ALCMENE
Daughter of King ELECTRYON of ARGOS
One of E.’s older brother STHENELUS had son
EURYSTHENUS
• Another brother had son AMPHITRYON
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ELECTRYON attacked by pirates, in battle all but one of ELECTRYON’s
sons killed, bent on revenge – before leaving on campaign left kingship and
care of daughter ALCMENE to AMPH. But before ELECTRYON could leave
AMPHITRYON killed him in a quarrel and was banished. Left with
ALCMENE and fled to Thebes, where was purified of blood pollution.
Married ALCMENE, but she would not sleep with him until he avenged the
deaths of er brothers. Did so. Was returning victorius, but Zues took on his
form and went to ALCMENE with proofs victory, then had sex. Went away
before Amph. Showed up.
2 kinds of seed in a single night.
Twin brothers
IPHICLES
HERACLES
When A. about to give birth, Zeus said that day one would be borne of his
seed who would rule over Mycenae. Hera delayed birth of Heracles while
hastening the birth of EURYSTHENUS – child of MENIPPÊ and STHENUS
- also a son of PERSEUS and therefore ZEUS’s grandson
Observations: Twins and Divine
Birth
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magical nature of twins in myth
pairs of twins in myths of Mycenae:
Either worst of enemies
Danaus & Aegyptus; Acrisius & Protus
Or best of friends:
Heracles & Iphicles, Castor & Polydeuces
Egyptian precedents
Divine birth
Amun + Ahmes (wife of Thutmosis I) 
Hatshepsut
Early Deeds
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Hera sends serpents to kill Heracles in his crib -H. strangles
them.
Joke story: Zeus placed H. at Hera’s breast to suckle (while she
slept?) and imbibe divine milk, H. bit down and she screamed
and dashed him away – spurting milk became the milky way.
Education
AMPHITRYON– taught him to drive chariot, brought in tutors
Autolycus – taught him wrestling
EURYTUS – greatest of archers taught him to shoot.
Castor – showed him how to fight in heavy armor.
LINUS – brother of Orpheus, instructed him in playing lyre,
complained so often that one day H. hit him over the head with
the lyre, killing him. Acquitted on claim of self-defense.
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Another humorous story
H. sent to tend cattle on slopes of Mnt.
CITHAERON (southwestern Boetia), H. grew
to 8 ft.
When 18 hunted huge lion which ravaged
flocks of THESPIUS, king of nearby town. For
50 days he hunted beast and stayed
overnight in THESPIUS’; house. Wanted to
have grandchildren from him. Each night sent
one of his 50 daughters to H.’s room. H.
thought it was same woman each time –
begat his first 50 sons.
Minyan War
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Heading back to Thebes
Met heralds of ERGINUS, king of MINYANS.
THEBES forced to pay tribute of 100 cttle a year.
H. attacked heralds, cut off noses, ears & hands and
hung them on strings around their necks – told them
to take those back as tribute
ERGINUS attacked Thebes. Had forced Thebans to
disarm but H. found old weapons in temples of the
gods, armed the Thebans, led them, killed E. and
forced the Minyans to pay twice as much tribute.
AMPHITRYON Killed in MINYAN WAR.
Marriage, Madness and Murder
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AMPH. Killed in MINYAN WAR.
New king of THebes CREON gave. H.
his daughter MEGARA in marriage.
Had 3 kids.
H. went mad (Hera)
Murdered wife and 3 kids.
12 LABORS
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H. went to Delphi to find out what he had to do to
atone.
Had to leave MYCENAE for TIRYNS to serve as
bondsman to his cousin EURYSTHEUS king of
MYCENAE and TIRYNS and perform for him Twelve
Labors (
Greek word actually – athloi contests with a prize for
victory. Oracle said prize would be immoprtality.
Some would be contests against Death himself.
More than 12 tasks
The Labors
Deeds
Side-Deeds
THE LABORS
1. The NEMEAN LION
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Child of TYPHOEUS – ravaging country
around NEMEA, northwest of Mycenae.
Early Versions – H. cut club and clubbed the
lion. Later versions – started out with bow &
arrow and realized it had impenetrable skin –
trapped lion in layer and wrestled it to death,
had too use one of its’ own claws to get the
hide. Ever after wore skin with head like
helmet. Brought dead lion back to
EURYSTEUS, but king refused to let him into
city, skulked in corner of palace got big
bronze jar to hide in .
2. LERNAEAN HYDRA
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Enormous serpent the HYDRA (“water serpent”) with
many heads. Lived near swamps of LERNA. Even
breath death. IOLAÜS – H’s nephew accompanied
him. H. shot burning arrows to drive monster out of it’s
lair and then moved in w/short curved sword. Hydra
wrapped coils around one leg and giant crab attacked
the other. Every time H. cut off one head, two others
grew in its place, central head was immortal. Smashed
crab. I. set fire to nearby forest and brought H.
firebrands to burn off each new head as it sprouted
and cauterize the stump. Cut off immortal head and
buried it under a heavy rock. Ripped open body and
dipped his arrows in the black liquid – so poisonous
that even a trace would kill the strongest man.
3. CERYNEIAN DEER/HIND
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:Next task – to bring a magic deer living in
CERYNEIA (remote mountain in northern
PELOPONNESUS. Female but w/golden
antlers and brazen hoofs, belonged to
ARTEMIS. Tracked it for a full year, in
ARCADIA wounded it and captured it. While
carrying it back (alive) met Artemis and Apollo
– criticised him for wounding and stealing
Artemis’ sacred deer. H. apologized and
explained and they allowed him to borrow the
deer to show it to COPREUS – after which he
let it go.
4. ERYMANTHIAN BOAR: To
capture it alive.
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Side-Deed: PHOLUS: Centaur who lived in remote cave.
Offered H. cooked meat (P. only ate it raw). H. asked for wine
– big keg in back – but P. said it belonged to all the centaurs –
he shouldn’t open it. H. assured him that there would be no
prob. But when opened strong scent alerted rest of centaurs –
Got nasty. H. threw torched and fired arrows to drive them off.
The one wise Centaur CHIRON got wounded w/poisoned
arrow. Immortal – killing venom continually in bloodstream –
Prometeus traded his mortality for C.’s immortality 
apparently early on Prom. Not immortal. P. then accidentally
stuck himself with one of the poisoned arrows and died.
H. Then drove out boar from brush with voice, ran it
down and carried it back. EURYSTHEUS scared in
bronze jar.
5. AUGEAN STABLES:
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AUGEAS, son of HELIUS king of ELIS
(northwest Peloponnesus), many herds, but
never cleaned stables. Several feet deep in
dung. E. ordered H. to clean the stables.
(w/out revealing that he was in service of E.)
H. bargained w/A. that if he cleaned all of
stables in one day, he would receive 1/10 of
the cattle. Diverted nearby ALPHEUS and
PENEUS rivers through the stables. But .
learned of H.’s obligation to E. and refused to
pay –later H. returned and killed him.
6. STYMPHALIAN BIRDS.
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Arcadia, lake STYMPHALIS, flocks of
death dealing bird, arrow firing wings,
armor piercing beaks, Bronze castanets
to drive them out. Then shot them down
with arrows.
7. CRETAN BULL
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Ordered to capture Bull. (PASIPHÄE
one). Sailed to Crete, Minos politely
refused to help, but said H. could have it
if he could capture it. H. grabbed bull by
the horns, tossed in the sea and then
rode it to the Peloponnesus.
8. HORSES OF DIOMEDES.
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Thrace. Diomedes = son of Ares, king of savage tribe in
Thrace. Horses ate human flesh.
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Side-Deed: ALCESTIS: Asclepius killed by ZEUS, in revenge
Apollo killed Cyclopes, Zeus’s armorers, forced by Zeus to serve
king ADMETUS, treated Apollo so well that he gave him gift – did
not have to die if he could find someone else to die in his place –
only wife ALCESTIS willing. H. stops in the court + notices
everyone in mourning, doesn’t know why – just say that a
‘neighbor’ has died. H. gets drunk, sings + lectures a servant for
his attitude. Only find out later the cause. Says that he will go get
her back. Goes to place where body is, meets Death (Thanatos)
and wrestles him to get A. back.
In Thrace, captured horses and fed them their master. Anger
of locals – besieged him and young lover ABDERUS. Left A.
w/horses while he drove back attack and returned to find
tahey ahd eaten A. Buried remains.
9. GIRDLE of HIPPOLYTA
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:Amazons. E. ordered H. to bring girdle of
Hippolyta, Amazon Queen for his daughter.
Sexual innuendos. H. set out to river
THERMODON on s. shour of black Sea.
Reached harbour in land of Amazons.
Hipp. LIKED him, agreed to let him have belt.
Hera did not like this – disguised as Amazon &
ran through city proclaiming that H. was being
abduced. Attack on ship. H. strangled HI.
10. CATTLE of GERYON:
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Geyon = monster: 3 bodies joined at waist, lived on island of
ERYTHIA “red land” somewhere in far West near river OCEAN.
Herd of red cattle watched by EURYTION and two-headed dog,
ORTHUS (offspring of TYPHOEUS + ECHIDNA, like HYDRA).
H went through Northern Africa, reaching narrows where
Mediterranean Sea opens into ATLANTIC – set of PILLARS OF
HERACLES on either side (Rock of Ceuta in Tangiers and Rock
of Gibralter), to ancients formed geological boundary between
human world and realms beyond.
While in Africa, got so hot, H. fired arrow at Heliu, Helius so
impressed he lent H. the golden cup he traveled in at night. When
H. landed in ERYTHIA, ORTUS attacked him – H. killed both
ORTHUS and EURYTION, then killed GERYON and got the
cattle into the cup for the return journey.
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Side-Deed: CACUS, near future site of Rome CACUS, three-headed
fire-breathing monster stole some of the cattle and hid them in cave.
H. heard them. Tore away top of cave leapt inside + killed C. w/club.
After other adventures brought cattle to Mycenae where Eurystheus
sacrificed them to Hera.
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11. APPLES OF THE HESPERIDES:
Bring back golden apples of the HESPERIDES “nymphs of the West”
(from tree of Hera). Hera set 100 headed serpent LADON to guard tree.
Had to find sea God NEREUS who knew everything. Found him + held
on to him though he changed his form constantly to escape. Finally told
him where to go.
Side-Deeds: ANTAEUS, BUSIRIS.
Traveling across north Africa, attacked by ANTAEUS a giant who
wrestled travelers to death and built house of their skulls – everytime he
hit dirt he came up stronger (son of GAEA) H. then held him up in the air
and strangled him.
BUSIRIS: son of Poseidon and one of EPAPHUS’ daughters. Sacrificed
foreigners. H. allowed himself to be bound and led to the alter, then burst
bonds and killed both B. and his son on the altar. BUSIRIS = corruption
of BW-OSIRIS – ‘place of OSIRS’ – god of the dead – could be corrupted
allegory of overcoming Death.
Side-Deed: PROMETHEUS. While in the Caucus mnts H. came across
Prometheus bound – killed eagle and freed Prometheus.
Came to western edge of world where Atlas held heavens. Advice of
Prometheus, convinced ATLAS to fetch the apples – too dangerous even
for H. H. held up sky in his place. When A. returned w/apples refused to
take back the heavens. H. agreed if A. would take it back for a sec so he
could put a pad on his head. Tricked A. took fruit and went away. Gave
apples to E., who returned them to H. who gave them to Athena who
took them back where they belonged.
12. CERBERUS
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Ordered to bring back C. from the
underworld. Requested permission.
Hades agreed so long as H. used no
weapons. Wrestled it, chained it. Brought
it back to Mycenae, showed it to
Eurystheus and then released it backto
below.
OBSERVATINS:
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Earliest accounts – not a standard list or number.
Earliest evidence for canonical cycle = stone panels
in Zeus’ temple at OLYMPIA.
By Hellenistic times, same 12 always appear in
roughly same order.
Early ones – set in Peloponnesus in ever widening
circle around Mycenae. Of fist 7 – 6 are single
combat between man and beast. Subsequent
adventures – south to Crete, North to Thrace, East to
land of Amazons, West to Erythia, then to Paradise
and to hell.
Arrangement probably reflects a lost poem. H.’s
geographical exploration further and further away,
makes him model for Greeks living overseas.
VARIOUS DEEDS
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EURYTUS, daughter IOLÊ. Archery contest. H. won but E. refused to
honor it.
H. left.
Some of mares of E. missing.
IPHITUS. Believed in H. went to Tiryns to talk to him.
Mare IN H.s herd.
H. welcomed I. but then murdered him
Violation of sacred XENIA
Delphic oracles
Pythia so disgusted refused to answer
H. broke into temple seized tripod and ran away.
Apollo and H. wrestled over the tripod until Zeus separated them with a
thunderbolt.
A. agreed to purify H. under conditions:
Must serve a woman 3 years as slave
Must give everything earned to Eurytus as blood money.
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OMPHALÊ, queen of Lydia bought him
Hilarity ensues
Fun and cross dressing – wore each
others clothes.
Went out for some fun – slept in cave
Pan wanted some fun too and snuck
into cve to feel for O. Felt for the
negligee and jumped on the wrong
person, got smashed into the cave wall.
• Troy
• King LAOMEDON
• PODARCES  PRIAM ‘ransomed one’
DEATH OF HERAKLES.
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DEIANIRA. H. first heard of her while in underworld – ta=led to her brother
MELEAGER.
River god ACHELOÜS also wanted her. Wrestling, A. in form of bull. H. broke off
one of his horns.
H. w/ D. headed for TRACHIS. Had to cross river EVENUS. Centaur NESSUS
ferried travelers across for fee.
Tried to assault D. H. shot him w/arrow. Dying N. told D. to collect his blood + s,
to use as a love potion if she should ever need it. Later H. killed EURYTUS and
kidnapped IOLÊ. Wanted a clean cloak for a sacrifice.
D. got worried and decided to ‘treat’ the cloak.
Warning of Zeus – no living man could kill him –would die by hands of the dead.
Venom of Hydra was in blood – killed him. “Dead-hand motif”.
D. stabbed herself.
. to ld Hyllus to marry IOLE and then made himself funeral pyre and lay on it.
Shepherd PHILOCTETES lit it. H. gave P. his bow
Cloud gathered around pyre, thunder crackeled and H. was raised into heaven –
his APOTHEOSIS ‘being made a god’. On OLYMPUS he married HEBÊ, ‘youth’
Heracles
• Son of Zeus
• ALCMENE