The Ninth Labor of Hercules, the Belt of Hippolyta The mythical story of the Ninth Labor of Hercules, the Belt of Hippolyta by Gustav Schwab The Myth of the Ninth Labor of Hercules, the Belt of Hippolyta Returning from a long journey, the hero undertook an expedition against the Amazons in order to finish the ninth adventure and bring to King Eurystheus the sword belt of the Amazon Hippolyta. The Amazons inhabited the region of the river Thermodon and were a race of strong women who followed the occupations of men. From their children they selected only such as were girls. United in an army, they waged great wars. Their queen, Hippolyta, wore, as a sign of her leadership, a girdle which the goddess of war had given her as a present. Hercules gathered his warrior companions together into a ship, sailed after many adventures into the Black Sea and at last into the mouth of the river Thermodon, and the harbor of the Amazon city Themiscira. Here the queen of the Amazons met him. The lordly appearance of the hero flattered her pride, and when she heard the object of his visit, she promised him the belt. But Juno, the relentless enemy of Hercules, assuming the form of an Amazon, mingled among the others and spread the news that a stranger was about to lead away their queen. Then the Amazons fought with the warriors of Hercules, and the best fighters of them attacked the hero and gave him a hard battle. The 12 Labors of Hercules - Picture of Amazons guarding Hippolyta The first who began fighting with him was called, because of her swiftness, Aella, or Bride of the Wind; but she found in Hercules a swifter opponent, was forced to yield and was in her swift flight overtaken by him and vanquished. A second fell at the first attack; then Prothoe, the third, who had come off victor in seven duels, also fell. Hercules laid low eight others, among them three hunter companions of Diana, who, although formerly always certain with their weapons, today failed in their aim, and vainly covering themselves with their shields fell before the arrows of the hero. Even Alkippe fell, who had sworn to live her whole live unmarried: the vow she kept, but not her life. After even Melanippe, the brave leader of the Amazons, was made captive, all the rest took to wild flight, and Hippolyta the queen handed over the sword belt which she had promised even before the fight. Hercules took it as ransom and set Melanippe free. The Legend of the Ninth Labor of Hercules, the Belt of Hippolyta Ninth Labor of Hercules, the Belt of Hippolyta - The 12 Labors of Hercules The twelve labors of Hercules, or Heracles, involved dangerous tasks relating to the Nemean lion, the Hydra, the Ceryneian Hind, the Erymanthian Boar, the Augean stables, the Stymphalian Birds, the Cretan Bull, the Mares of Diomedes, the Belt of Hippolyta, the Cattle of Geryon, the Apples of the Hesperides and Cerberus. The mythical story of each of the 12 Labors of Hercules can be discovered via the following articles: The 12 Labors of Hercules | Hercules | The First Labor of Hercules, the Nemean lion | The Second Labor of Hercules, the Hydra | The Third Labor of Hercules, the Ceryneian Hind | The Fourth Labor of Hercules, the Erymanthian Boar | The Fifth Labor of Hercules, the Augean stables | The Sixth Labor of Hercules, the Stymphalian Birds | The Seventh Labor of Hercules, the Cretan Bull | The Eighth Labor of Hercules, the Mares of Diomedes | The Ninth Labor of Hercules, the Belt of Hippolyta | The Tenth Labor of Hercules, the Cattle of Geryon | The Eleventh Labor of Hercules, the Apples of the Hesperides | The Twelfth Labor of Hercules, Cerberus | The 12 Labors of Hercules |
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