Tenth Labor of Hercules, the Cattle of Geryon

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The Tenth Labor of Hercules, the Cattle of Geryon from Ancient Mythology
Read about gods, goddesses and mythical creatures in the myth story of the Tenth Labor of Hercules, the Cattle of Geryon

Tenth Labor of Hercules, the Cattle of Geryon
The short mythical story of the Tenth Labor of Hercules, the Cattle of Geryon is one of the famous legends about Hercules, also referred to as Heracles, that feature in the mythology of ancient civilizations. Discover the myths about the ancient gods, goddesses, demigods and heroes and the terrifying monsters and creatures they encountered on their perilous journeys and quests. The amazing story of the Tenth Labor of Hercules, the Cattle of Geryon really is easy reading for kids and children who are learning about the history, myths and legends of the ancients. Additional facts and information about the mythology and legends of individual gods and goddesses of these ancient civilizations can be accessed via the following links:

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Hercules
The Tenth Labor of Hercules, the Cattle of Geryon

The mythical story of the Tenth Labor of Hercules, the Cattle of Geryon
by Gustav Schwab

The Myth of the Tenth Labor of Hercules, the Cattle of Geryon
When the hero laid the sword belt of Queen Hippolyta at the feet of Eurystheus, the latter gave him no rest, but sent him out immediately to procure the cattle of the giant Geryone. The latter dwelt on an island in the midst of the sea, and possessed a herd of beautiful red-brown cattle, which were guarded by another giant and a two-headed dog.
Geryone himself was enormous, had three bodies, three heads, six arms and six feet. No son of earth had ever measured his strength against him, and Hercules realized exactly how many preparations were necessary for this heavy undertaking. As everybody knew, Geryone's father, who bore the name "Gold-Sword" because of his riches, was king of all Iberia (Spain). Besides Geryone he had three brave giant sons who fought for him; and each son had a mighty army of soldiers under his command.
For these very reasons had Eurystheus given the task to Hercules, for he hoped that his hated existence would at last be ended in a war in such a country. Yet Hercules set out on this undertaking no more dismayed than on any previous expedition.
He gathered together his army on the island of Crete, which he had freed from wild animals, and landed first in Libya. Here he met the giant Antaeus, whose strength was renewed as often as he touched the earth. He also freed Libya of birds of prey; for he hated wild animals and wicked men because he saw in all of them the image of the overbearing and unjust lord whom he so long had served.

Cattle of Geryon

Picture of Hercules driving off the Cattle of Geryon

After long wandering through desert country he came at last to a fruitful land, through which great streams flowed. Here he founded a city of vast size, which he named Hecatompylos (City of a Hundred Gates). Then at last he reached the Atlantic Ocean and planted the two mighty pillars which bear his name.

The sun burned so fiercely that Hercules could bear it no longer; he raised his eyes to heaven and with raised bow threatened the sun-god. Apollo wondered at his courage and lent him for his further journeys the bark in which he himself was accustomed to lie from sunset to sunrise. In this Hercules sailed to Iberia.

Here he found the three sons of Gold-Sword with three great armies camping near each other; but he killed all the leaders and plundered the land. Then he sailed to the island Erythia, where Geryone dwelt with his herds.

As soon as the two-headed dog knew of his approach he sprang toward him; but Hercules struck him with his club and killed him. He killed also the giant herdsman who came to the help of the dog. Then he hurried away with the cattle.

But Geryone overtook him and there was a fierce struggle. Juno herself offered to assist the giant; but Hercules shot her with an arrow deep in the heart, and the goddess, wounded, fled. Even the threefold body of the giant which ran together in the region of the stomach, felt the might of the deadly arrows and was forced to yield.

With glorious adventures Hercules continued his way home, driving the cattle across country through Iberia and Italy. At Rhegium in lower Italy one of his oxen got away and swam across the strait to Sicily. Immediately Hercules drove the other cattle into the water and swam, holding one by the horns, to Sicily. Then the hero pursued his way without misfortune through Italy, Illyria and Thrace to Greece.

Hercules had now accomplished ten labors; but Eurystheus was still unsatisfied and there were two more tasks to be undertaken.

The Legend of the Tenth Labor of Hercules, the Cattle of Geryon

Tenth Labor of Hercules, the Cattle of Geryon - 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 Tenth Labor of Hercules, the Cattle of Geryon
The story of the Tenth Labor of Hercules, the Cattle of Geryon is featured in the book entitled Myths and Legends of All Nations edited by Logan Marshall published in 1914 by the John C. Winston Company, Philadelphia. The stories of Hercules are translated form the the German works of of Gustav Schwab.

Tenth Labor of Hercules, the Cattle of Geryon - A Myth with a Moral
Many of the ancient Myth Stories, like the legend of the Tenth Labor of Hercules, the Cattle of Geryon, incorporate tales with morals that provided the old story-tellers with short examples of exciting tales for kids and children of how to act and behave and reflected important life lessons. The characters of the heroes in this type of fable demonstrated the virtues of courage, love, loyalty, strength, perseverance, leadership and self reliance. Whereas the villains demonstrated all of the vices and were killed or punished by the gods. The old, famous myth story and fable, like Tenth Labor of Hercules, the Cattle of Geryon, were designed to entertain, thrill and inspire their young listeners...

12  Labors of Hercules

The 12 Labors of the Tenth Labor of Hercules, the Cattle of Geryon

Satyr

The Magical World of Myth and Legend

The Short Story and Myth of the Tenth Labor of Hercules, the Cattle of Geryon
The story of the 12 Labors of the Tenth Labor of Hercules, the Cattle of Geryon is featured in the book entitled Myths and Legends of All Nations edited by Logan Marshall published in 1914 by the John C. Winston Company, Philadelphia. The stories of the Tenth Labor of Hercules, the Cattle of Geryon are translated form the the German works of of Gustav Schwab. The stories of the Tenth Labor of Hercules, the Cattle of Geryon are translated form the the German works of of Gustav Schwab. Learn about the exciting adventures and dangerous quests undertaken by the mythical characters that feature in the hero myths, fables and stories about the gods and goddesses of Ancient Greece and Rome that are available on this website.

Tenth Labor of Hercules, the Cattle of Geryon - Myths and Stories about heroes, monsters, gods and goddesses

Tenth Labor of Hercules, the Cattle of Geryon

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