![]() Eurystheus set two more tasks (fetching the Golden Apples of Hesperides and capturing Cerberus), which Hercules also performed, bringing the total number of tasks to twelve. Hercules accomplished these tasks, but Eurystheus refused to recognize two: the slaying of the Lernaean Hydra, as Hercules' nephew and charioteer Iolaus had helped him and the cleansing of the Augeas, because Hercules accepted payment for the labour. Eventually, he placed himself at Eurystheus's disposal.Įurystheus originally ordered Hercules to perform ten labours. Hercules despaired at this, loathing to serve a man whom he knew to be far inferior to himself, yet fearing to oppose his father Zeus. Pythia, the Oracle of Delphi, advised him to go to Tiryns and serve his cousin King Eurystheus for twelve years, performing whatever labors Eurystheus might set him in return, he would be rewarded with immortality. After recovering his sanity, Hercules deeply regretted his actions he was purified by King Thespius, then traveled to Delphi to inquire how he could atone for his actions. The Heracles Papyrus, a fragment of a 3rd-century Greek manuscript of a poem about the Labours of Hercules ( Oxyrhynchus Papyrus 2331)ĭriven mad by Hera (queen of the gods), Hercules slew his son, daughter, and wife Megara. During these 12 years, Hercules is sent to perform twelve difficult feats, called labours. ![]() Hercules was told to serve the king of Mycenae, Eurystheus, for 12 years. He prayed to the god Apollo for guidance. After Hercules killed his wife and children, he went to the oracle at Delphi. The establishment of a fixed cycle of twelve labours was attributed by the Greeks to an epic poem, now lost, written by Peisander, dated about 600 BC. The episodes were later connected by a continuous narrative. They were accomplished over 12 years at the service of King Eurystheus. The Twelve Labours of Heracles or Hercules ( Greek: οἱ Ἡρακλέους ἆθλοι, hoi Hērakleous athloi) are a series of episodes concerning a penance carried out by Heracles, the greatest of the Greek heroes, whose name was later romanised as Hercules. Hercules, for his own part, is always there for Zeus when his father needs him, and in the end, Hercules reconciles with his father and buries whatever issues he has with the father he has come to understand and love.Roman relief (3rd century AD) depicting a sequence of the Labours of Hercules, representing from left to right the Nemean lion, the Lernaean Hydra, the Erymanthian Boar, the Ceryneian Hind, the Stymphalian birds, the Girdle of Hippolyta, the Augean stables, the Cretan Bull and the Mares of Diomedes Zeus makes several appearances on the show, even saving his son's life and restoring his superhuman strength on one occasion when he needs it the most. ![]() Indeed, Hercules is often referred to as "the favorite son of Zeus". Although Zeus, Hercules' father, is frequently cited by Hercules as a neglectful father, Zeus' love for Hercules is well documented in the show. Towards the end of the series, Ares is himself replaced by the evil god Dahakwho is the main villain in the show's fifth season and sets off a story arc that has Hercules traveling to Sumeria, Norseland and Eire. As the series progressed, a wider range of enemies was used notably Hercules' half-brother, the malicious god of war Ares replaced Hera as the show's primary antagonist. In the earlier episodes as mentioned in the show's opening title, Hercules' main nemesis is his evil stepmother Hera, the powerful queen of the gods who seeks to destroy Hercules using various monsters and helping her various followers because he is a reminder of her husband Zeus' infidelity. There was also comedy and episodes often had "in-jokes" about modern themes. ![]() Typical plot lines involve Hercules and lolaus saving rustic villagers from monsters, evil warlords, or the often selfish whims of the gods. Rotating as Hercules' other regular companion, particularly in earlier seasons, is Salmoneus (Robert Trebor), a wheeler-dealer ever looking to make a quick drachma. The show stars Kevin Sorbo as Hercules and regularly features Michael Hurst as his sidekick lolaus. The show also has a mixture of Oriental, Egyptian and Medievalelements in various episodes. The series is set in a fantasy version of ancient Greece not precisely located in historical time. He journeyed the earth, battling the minions of his wicked stepmother Hera, the all-powerful queen of the gods.īut wherever there is evil, whenever an innocent would suffer, there would be Hercules!" Hercules possessed a strength the world had never seen, a strength surpassed only by the power of his heart. Only one man dared to challenge their power: Hercules! "This is the story of a time long ago, a time of myth and legend, when the ancient gods were petty and cruel, and they plagued mankind with suffering. ![]()
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