Twelfth Labor of Hercules, Cerberus

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The Story of the Twelfth Labor of Hercules, Cerberus from Ancient Mythology
Read about gods, goddesses and mythical creatures in the myth story of the Twelfth Labor of Hercules, Cerberus

Twelfth Labor of Hercules, Cerberus
The short mythical story of the Twelfth Labor of Hercules, Cerberus 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 Twelfth Labor of Hercules, Cerberus really is easy reading for kids and children. 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 Twelfth Labor of Hercules, Cerberus

The mythical story of the Twelfth Labor of Hercules, Cerberus
by Gustav Schwab

The Myth of the Twelfth Labor of Hercules, Cerberus
Instead of destroying his hated enemy the labors which Eurystheus had imposed upon Hercules had only strengthened the hero in the fame for which fate had selected him. He had become the protector of all the wronged upon earth, and the boldest adventurer among mortals.

But the last labor he was to undertake in the region in which his hero strength so the impious king hoped would not accompany him. This was a fight with the dark powers of the Underworld. He was to bring forth from Hades Cerberus, the dog of Hell. This animal had three heads with frightful jaws, from which incessantly poison flowed. A dragon's tail hung from his body, and the hair of his head and of his back formed hissing, coiling serpents.

To prepare himself for this fearful journey Hercules went to the city of Eleusis, in Attic territory, where, from a wise priest, he received secret instruction in the things of the upper and lower world, and where also he received pardon for the murder of the Centaur.

Then, with strength to meet the horrors of the underworld, Hercules traveled on to Peloponnesus, and to the Laconian city of Taenarus, which contained the opening to the lower world. Here, accompanied by Mercury, he descended through a cleft in the earth, and came to the entrance of the city of King Pluto. The shades which sadly wandered back and forth before the gates of the city took flight as soon as they caught sight of flesh and blood in the form of a living man.

Only the Gorgon Medusa and the spirit of Meleager remained. The former Hercules wished to overthrow with his sword, but Mercury touched him on the arm and told him that the souls of the departed were only empty shadow pictures and could not be wounded by mortal weapons.

With the soul of Meleager the hero chatted in friendly fashion, and received from him loving messages for the upper world. Still nearer to the gates of Hades Hercules caught sight of his friends Theseus and Pirithous. When both saw the friendly form of Hercules they stretched beseeching hands towards him, trembling with the hope that through his strength they might again reach the upper world. Hercules grasped Theseus by the hand, freed him from his chains and raised him from the ground. A second attempt to free Pirithous did not succeed, for the ground opened beneath his feet.

Picture of Hercules and Cerberus

The 12 Labors of Hercules - Picture of Hercules and Cerberus

At the gate of the City of the Dead stood King Pluto, and denied entrance to Hercules. But with an arrow the hero shot the god in the shoulder, so that he feared the mortal; and when Hercules then asked whether he might lead away the dog of Hades he did not longer oppose him. But he imposed the condition that Hercules should become master of Cerberus without using any weapons. So the hero set out, protected only with cuirass and the lion skin.

He found the dog camping near the dwelling of Acheron, and without paying any attention to the bellowing of the three heads, which was like the echo of fearful resounding thunder, he seized the dog by the legs, put his arms around his neck, and would not let him go, although the dragon tail of the animal bit him in the cheek.

He held the neck of Cerberus firm, and did not let go until he was really master of the monster. Then he raised it, and through another opening of Hades returned in happiness to his own country. When the dog of Hades saw the light of day he was afraid and began to spit poison, from which poisonous plants sprung up out of the earth. Hercules brought the monster in chains to Tirynth, and led it before the astonished Eurystheus, who could not believe his eyes.

Now at last the king doubted whether he could ever rid himself of the hated son of Jupiter. He yielded to his fate and dismissed the hero, who led the dog of Hades back to his owner in the lower world.

Thus Hercules after all his labors was at last set free from the service of Eurystheus, and returned to Thebes.

The Legend of the Twelfth Labor of Hercules, Cerberus

Twelfth Labor of Hercules, Cerberus - 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 Twelfth Labor of Hercules, Cerberus
The story of the Twelfth Labor of Hercules, Cerberus 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.

Twelfth Labor of Hercules, Cerberus - A Myth with a Moral
Many of the ancient Myth Stories, like the legend of the Twelfth Labor of Hercules, Cerberus, 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 Twelfth Labor of Hercules, Cerberus, were designed to entertain, thrill and inspire their young listeners...

12  Labors of Hercules

The 12 Labors of the Twelfth Labor of Hercules, Cerberus

Satyr

The Magical World of Myth and Legend

The Short Story and Myth of the Twelfth Labor of Hercules, Cerberus
The story of the 12 Labors of the Twelfth Labor of Hercules, Cerberus 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 Twelfth Labor of Hercules, Cerberus are translated form the the German works of of Gustav Schwab. The stories of the Twelfth Labor of Hercules, Cerberus 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.

12 Labors of the Twelfth Labor of Hercules, Cerberus - Myths about heroes, monsters, gods and goddesses

Twelfth Labor of Hercules, Cerberus

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  • The story of the Twelfth Labor of Hercules, Cerberus
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