Hercules The Sixth Labor of Hercules, the Stymphalian Birds The mythical story of the Sixth Labor of Hercules, the Stymphalian Birds by Gustav Schwab The Myth of the Sixth Labor of Hercules, the Stymphalian Birds Hercules now returned with new adventures to Eurystheus; but the latter would not give him credit for the task because Hercules had demanded a reward for his labor. He sent the hero forth upon a sixth adventure, commanding him to drive away the Stymphalides. These were monster birds of prey, as large as cranes, with iron feathers, beaks and claws. They lived on the banks of Lake Stymphalus in Arcadia, and had the power of using their feathers as arrows and piercing with their beaks even bronze coats of mail. Thus they brought destruction to both animals and men in all the surrounding country. After a short journey Hercules, accustomed to wandering, arrived at the lake, which was thickly shaded by a wood. Into this wood a great flock of the birds had flown for fear of being robbed by wolves. The hero stood undecided when he saw the frightful crowd, not knowing how he could become master over so many enemies. The 12 Labors of Hercules - Picture of Hercules and the Stymphalian Birds Then he felt a light touch on his shoulder, and glancing behind him saw the tall figure of the goddess Minerva, who gave into his hands two mighty brass rattles made by Vulcan. Telling him to use these to drive away the Stymphalides, she disappeared. Hercules mounted a hill near the lake, and began frightening the birds by the noise of the rattles. The Stymphalides could not endure the awful noise and flew, terrified, out of the forest. Then Hercules seized his bow and sent arrow after arrow in pursuit of them, shooting many as they flew. Those who were not killed left the lake and never returned. The Legend of the Sixth Labor of Hercules, the Stymphalian Birds Sixth Labor of Hercules, the Stymphalian Birds - 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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