Hercules



An ancient Greek hero, renowned for his strength and moral courage.  In a fit of madness, he killed his own 
children and was ordered to perform twelve incredible tasks as punishment.  These were called the Twelve 
Labours of Hercules: 

Labour 1: The Nemean Lion 			Labour 2: The Lernean Hydra 
Labour 3: The Hind of Ceryneia 		Labour 4: The Erymanthean Boar 
Labour 5: The Augean Stables		Labour 6: The Stymphalian Birds 
Labour 7: The Cretan Bull 			Labour 8: The Horses of Diomedes 
Labour 9: The Belt of Hippolyte 		Labour 10: Geryon's Cattle 
Labour 11: Apples of the Hesperides 		Labour 12: Cerberus 

In previous centuries, Hercules' moral strength was the focus of reference to him in life and in literature.  In 
the twentieth century, though, he is considered to be an example of strength or amazing achievement.  His labours are 
often referred to in literature (especially the slaying of the monster called the Hydra, which grew two terrible 
heads every time you cut one off).  Common expressions in everyday speech are as follows:

(a)  My brother is very strong; he has the strength of Hercules.
(b)  If you can do all that before the end of the semester, you will have achieved a Herculean task.
(c)  He is small but very muscular.  He's a pocket Hercules.
(d)  Building that house will be a labour of Hercules.
(e)  Looking after my sick mother was a labour of love.







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