Hercules' Tenth Labor: Stealing the Cattle of Geryon

Background

• King Eurystheus: Wanted Hercules as far away as possible.
• Task: Steal the cattle of the giant Geryon.
• Location: Mythical island of Erytheia, near the Iberian peninsula.

Journey to Erytheia

• Challenge: Very long journey; no Greek had traveled so far.
• Obstacle: Large mountain separating the Mediterranean Sea from the Atlantic Ocean.
• Action: Hercules split the mountain in two, creating the Pillars of Hercules (modern-day Strait of Gibraltar).

Encounter with Geryon

• Geryon: Hideous creature with several bodies; son of Chrysaor.
• Guardian: Two-headed dog named Orthros, brother to Cerberus.
• Hercules' Fight with Orthros:
  • Orthros had a serpent's tail.
  • Hercules killed the dog using his club.

Battle with Geryon

• Initial Approach: Hercules tried to drive the cattle away stealthily.
• Confrontation: Geryon attacked Hercules.
• Interference: Goddess Hera helped Geryon by increasing his courage and strength.
• Hercules' Strategy:
  • Used his bow to wound Hera, forcing her to flee.
  • Used a special arrow soaked with Hydra's poisonous blood.
  • Geryon was killed by the poison.

Outcome

• Hercules successfully stole Geryon's cattle.
• Returned to Greece with the famous cattle.