Greek Mythology: lecture 3Greek Mythology: lecture 3

HERACLES

Birth & AncestryBirth & Ancestry

YouthYouth

Attacked by serpents in cradleAttacked by serpents in cradleTaught by Amphitryon (chariot), Autolycus Taught by Amphitryon (chariot), Autolycus

(wrestling), Eurytus (bow), Castor (wrestling), Eurytus (bow), Castor (sword/javelin), Linus (lyre)(sword/javelin), Linus (lyre)

Murdered LinusMurdered LinusSlayed Cithaeronian lionSlayed Cithaeronian lionBedded 50 daughters of ThespiusBedded 50 daughters of Thespius

Labours Labours Bring skin of Nemean lionBring skin of Nemean lion Kill Lernaean hydraKill Lernaean hydra Capture Cerynitian (Ceryneian) hindCapture Cerynitian (Ceryneian) hind Capture Erymanthian boarCapture Erymanthian boar Clean stables of AugeiasClean stables of Augeias Drive away Stymphalian birdsDrive away Stymphalian birds Capture Cretan bullCapture Cretan bull Capture mares of DiomedesCapture mares of Diomedes Get belt of HippolytaGet belt of Hippolyta Bring cattle of GeryonBring cattle of Geryon Fetch apples of the HesperidesFetch apples of the Hesperides Bring Cerberus from HadesBring Cerberus from Hades

Minor labours (Minor labours (parergaparerga))

Rescued Hesione from sea-monsterRescued Hesione from sea-monster Battled Achelous for DeianeiraBattled Achelous for Deianeira Slew centaur Nessus as he tried to rape herSlew centaur Nessus as he tried to rape her Slew giant AlcyoneusSlew giant Alcyoneus Slew earthborn giant AntaeusSlew earthborn giant Antaeus Captures Cercopes (thieves)Captures Cercopes (thieves) Slew eagle set to torment PrometheusSlew eagle set to torment Prometheus Slew centaur EurytionSlew centaur Eurytion Battled centaursBattled centaurs

a) Killing monstrous animalsa) Killing monstrous animals

LIONHYDRA

b) Capturing edible animalsb) Capturing edible animals

HIND

BOAR

BIRDS

BULL

MARES

CATTLE

c) Labours for/against humansc) Labours for/against humans

STABLES

GIRDLE

d) ‘otherworld’ laboursd) ‘otherworld’ labours

APPLES OF HESPERIDES

CERBERUS

Wives, lovers & dynastiesWives, lovers & dynasties 52 sons by 50 daughters of Thespius (kings of 52 sons by 50 daughters of Thespius (kings of

Thespiae/founded colony of Sardinia)Thespiae/founded colony of Sardinia) Echidna (Dracontidae – house of Cadmus)Echidna (Dracontidae – house of Cadmus) Megara (Therimachus, Deicoon, Creontiades – Megara (Therimachus, Deicoon, Creontiades –

murdered)murdered) Deianeira (Hyllus, Ctesippos, Glenos, Oneites, ‘Macaria’ Deianeira (Hyllus, Ctesippos, Glenos, Oneites, ‘Macaria’

– Dorian/Spartan kings)– Dorian/Spartan kings) Omphale (Agelaus – Lydian kings)Omphale (Agelaus – Lydian kings) Iole (given to Hyllus)Iole (given to Hyllus)Full list: Full list:

http://homepage.mac.com/cparada/GML/Heracles1.htmlhttp://homepage.mac.com/cparada/GML/Heracles1.html

EromenoiEromenoi

Iolaus (Argos/Thebes)Iolaus (Argos/Thebes)Hylas (Dryopian/Chios)Hylas (Dryopian/Chios)Elacatas (Sparta)Elacatas (Sparta)Abderus (Abdera)Abderus (Abdera)Philoctetes, Nestor, Iphitus, Nireus, Philoctetes, Nestor, Iphitus, Nireus,

Adonis, Jason, Corythus, Stichius, Adonis, Jason, Corythus, Stichius, Phrix/TrinxPhrix/Trinx

Fundamental ambiguityFundamental ambiguity

God/apotheosisedGod/apotheosised Son of ZeusSon of Zeus Name means ‘glory of Name means ‘glory of

Hera’Hera’ Culture heroCulture hero Hyper-masculineHyper-masculine

Mortal/deadMortal/dead Eternally in serviceEternally in service Hounded by Hounded by

stepmotherstepmother Destructive bruteDestructive brute Gender ambiguityGender ambiguity

Explanations?Explanations?

Burkert 1985: Burkert 1985: Conglomerate of tales with no authoritative Conglomerate of tales with no authoritative

poetic definition?poetic definition?Wish-fulfilment & its antithesis – extreme must Wish-fulfilment & its antithesis – extreme must

turn to opposite to reaffirm itself?turn to opposite to reaffirm itself?Sergeant 1987:Sergeant 1987:

2 different Heracles in ancient tradition – 2 different Heracles in ancient tradition – Argive wild-man & Boeotian culture hero?Argive wild-man & Boeotian culture hero?