Monty Booij - Blog 3

Ancient Greek Myths

The Myth of Hercules

Hercules was a Greek hero. He was the son of Zeus. He was famous for his strength and his many adventures. These stories were made up thousands of years ago. In a fit rage, he murdered his wife and 2 children. When he realised what he had done, he went to Apollo to ask for forgiveness. Apollo gave him 12 tasks to do. These tasks have become myths. Some of his adventures were:

1. Slaying a lion

2. Slaying a nine headed hydra (dragon)

3. Capturing a bull

4. Stealing the horses from Diomedes

The most dangerous task was the last one, the 12th one. He was tasked with going to the underworld, Hades. He had to kidnap a beast called Cerberus. Cerberus had 3 heads, heads of dogs, a body of a dragon and a snakes tail. This beast ate raw flesh.

In his very last adventure, Hercules killed a centaur with a poisoned arrow. A demi god used the poisoned blood and killed Hercules with it. His spirit went to the Gods in Olympus.