Twelve Labors of Hercules

Read what the ancient writers had to say about the aquisition of Hercules' trademark lionskin covering.

Do you know what is meant by the canonical labors or what we use to decide which are the canonical labors? Find information on the changing labors and the source for the canonical list.

Hercules was one of the most popular heroes in classical mythology. Despite his involvement in escapades all over the Mediterranean, he is known mostly for 12 labors, mostly feats of strength, he performed for Eurystheus.

Pictures of the 12 Labors of Hercules that Hercules (Herakles/Heracles) performed for Eurystheus. Some pictures refer to side adventures during the labors.

An FAQ on the 12 Labors of Hercules (aka Herakles or Heracles).

The order of the labors of Hercules varies with the sources. Diodorus and Apollodorus have different orders for the Labors of Hercules.

Index of the twleve labors of Hercules

The fourth of the Twelve Labors of Hercules.

Places listed by Apollodorus in connection with the labors of Hercules.

Pindar, Sophocles, Aeschylus, and Euripides on the labors of Hercules.

The Twelve Labors of Hercules, Apollodorus on the Labors of Hercules, and the sources for Hercules' Labors.

Although he had an insanity excuse for it, Hercules, the greatest of the Greek heroes, murdered his wife and children, and killed a couple of his brother's kids, as well. It was to atone for this crime that he started on the twelve labors. Read about why he went insane and who drove him to it:

From the day they first saw the light, Hera pitted Hercules and Eurystheus (the king who tried to send the hero on twelve suicide missions) against one another.

The twelve labors we associate with Hercules and Eurystheus may have been only nine, at one time, and Hercules may not have performed them to atone for the crime of murdering his children. He may have done them to become a god.

The sources on the labors of Hercules from Archaic Period to 500 B.C.

In "Greek Fire, Poison Arrows & Scorpion Bombs - Biological and Chemical Warfare in the Ancient World," Adrienne Mayor does a masterful job of showing how everything modern in the areas of terrorism and warfare has ancient antecedents.