Ovid Transitions  Theseus resting at Achelous’ home.  Achelous describes fight with Hercules over Deianira.  Hercules wins to make Deianira his wife.  Leads into story of Hercules fighting Centaur Nessus.  Theseus resting at Achelous’ home.  Achelous describes fight with Hercules over Deianira.  Hercules wins to make Deianira his wife.  Leads into story of Hercules fighting Centaur Nessus.

NN  Born from Jove coming to mortal Alcmena.  Angered Juno, created problems during the birth.  Lucina, goddess of birth, was present on orders from Juno.  Born from Jove coming to mortal Alcmena.  Angered Juno, created problems during the birth.  Lucina, goddess of birth, was present on orders from Juno.

Birth speed along by Galanthis, one of Alcmena’s servents. Tricked Lucina into loosening her hands and was then turned into a weasel by Lucina.

Right from the start Juno was creating problems for Hercules. This makes him fit into the hero category, through his miraculous birth and then all the trials/enemies sent by Juno, first being the 2 serpents

Story of Megara  Megara was Hercule’s first wife whom he killed after being driven to madness by Juno. Also killed their 3 children.  After the killings, on instructions from Apollo’s oracle, travels to Tiryns to complete the 12 labors for his cousin Eurystheus.  Megara was Hercule’s first wife whom he killed after being driven to madness by Juno. Also killed their 3 children.  After the killings, on instructions from Apollo’s oracle, travels to Tiryns to complete the 12 labors for his cousin Eurystheus.

Labor One First task was to kill the lion of Nemea from which he gained his signature club and lion skin which he is normally seen wearing.

Labor Two Second task was to kill the Lernean Hydra who had poisoned blood.

Labor Three Hercules’ third task was to catch the Cerynean Stag, which took over a year to accomplish.

Labor Four The fourth task was the catch the Erymantian Boar and bring him back to Eurystheus who later released him on Crete.

Labor Five The fifth task was to clean the Augean stables that housed a massive herd of cattle. They had never been cleaned and Hercules moved a river in order to complete the task.

Labor Six Hercules’ sixth task was to kill the Stymphalian birds who shot their feathers as if they were arrows.

Labor Seven The seventh task was to capture the Cretan Bull and return it to the mainland. In later myth, the bull is killed by Theseus.

Labor Eight His eighth task was to find the horses of Diomedes, king of Thrace. He killed Diomedes and fed him to the horses. The horses were calm enough after they had eaten that Hercules was able to bind their mouths closed to bring them back to Eurystheus.

Labor Nine The ninth task was to obtain the girdle of Hippolyta, queen of the Amazons. Her girdle had been a gift from the goddess Aphrodite.

Labor Ten In his tenth task, Hercules had to capture the cattle of the monster Geryon. Hercules ran into Orthus, the 2 headed brother of Cerberus, who was guarding the cattle, and killed him with his club.

Labor Eleven The eleventh labor was to bring back the apples of Hesperides but Hercules had no idea where to find these. Atlas ended up getting the apples from the tree of life guarded by the dragon for Hercules while Hercules took Atlas’ position and held up the world.

Labor Twelve, Final Labor Last of the seemingly impossible labors was to go to the underworld, capture Cerberus and bring him back to Eurystheus. Cerberus was the 3 headed dog that helped guard the underworld.

After Hercules completes all 12 labors is where Ovid picks up his story. Achelous tells the story of his battle with Hercules for Deiamira. Hercules wins and makes Deiamire his second wife.

On the way home, Hercules reached a flooded river, too high to cross. The Centaur Nessus suggests Hercules swim across and he will carry Deianira on his back afterwards. After Hercules reaches the other bank, he hears Deianira screaming.

Nessus wanted Deianira for himself and was trying to rape her. Hercules shoots an arrow at Nessus and pierces his back, bleeding all over his robe. Before dying he give the blood stained robe to Deianira to help make her love him.

Time passes and one day Deianira hears that Hercules had fallen for Iole. She decides to send the blood soaked robe of Nessus to him to help make him love her more.

The idea backfires, and when Hercules tries to tear off the robe, pieces of his skin tear with it. He prays to Juno to give him death. He decides to kill his mortal body by placing himself on a burning fire.

After his death, Jove makes him a true god and also a constellation.

The Myth of Hercules in Present Day  Hercules associated with men and things of great strength.  People able to accomplish tasks that seems impossible to most.  A couple examples I found: An army vehicle called Hercules and the Disney movie titled Hercules.  Hercules associated with men and things of great strength.  People able to accomplish tasks that seems impossible to most.  A couple examples I found: An army vehicle called Hercules and the Disney movie titled Hercules.

Army Vehicle

Hercules, A Disney Movie The movie Hercules was created by Disney in It portrays him as a hero born from Jove and Juno. Among this there are some other differences between actual myth and the movie.

Differences Between Myth and Movie  Son of Jove and Juno.  Helped throughout by Pegasus.  Hades is the one causing distress for Hercules.  With Megara the whole time.  Son of Jove and Juno.  Helped throughout by Pegasus.  Hades is the one causing distress for Hercules.  With Megara the whole time.  Son of Jove and Alcmena.  Pegasus not present.  Juno is the one causing distress for Hercules.  Kills Megara and marries Deianira.  Son of Jove and Alcmena.  Pegasus not present.  Juno is the one causing distress for Hercules.  Kills Megara and marries Deianira.