“Heracles” Study Guide Facts 1. Heracles in commanded to serve Prince Eurystheus for twelve years after killing his own wife and children 2. The goddess Hera is jealous of Heracles because he is the son of her husband (zeus) and a mortal woman. 3. After being freed, Heracles claims that his twelve year service has taught him how to control both his temper and strength. Twelve Labors 1. Lion of Nemea – chokes the lion to death; removes the skin with the lion’s claw 2. Kill the Hydra – cuts off the immortal head of the Hydra; sears the wound after cutting off the other heads so they cannot grow back 3. Artemis’ Beloved Stag – Hercules makes a deal with Artemis to borrow the stag and then return it to her 4. The Great Boar – chased the boar up a snowy mountain so it got stuck 5. Clean King Augeas’ Stables – Heracles is given one day to clean the stables that house 30,000 cattle and had not been cleaned in 30 years; he cleans the stables by diverting rivers through them 6. Birds of Stymphalus – shakes the rattle Athena gave him to summon the birds; shots them with arrows before they can attack 7. The Cretan Bull – wrestles the bull until it is tired 8. Man-Eating Mares of Diomedes – eat humans because Diomedes does not feed them; Heracles feeds Diomedes to the mares and then gives them grain and hay and they become tame 9. Belt of Hippolyta(Amazon Queen) – Hera convinced the Amazons to attacked Hercules; Hercules accidentally kills the Amazon queen (Hippolyta) 10. Cattle of Geryon – kills Geryon with poisoned arrows; takes the oxen (cattle) 11. The Golden Apple – held up the Heavens while Atlas got the apples; tricked Atlas into taking the Heavens back 12. Cerberus – Hercules refused to give up because he was so close to freedom; tamed Cerberus by wrestling him .