Cretan bull
For the seventh labor, Eurystheus sent Hercules to capture the Cretan Bull. This poor bull has a sad history. Poseidon sent a beautiful white bull to Minos, the King of Crete, to sacrifice but Minos kept him instead. Poseidon threw a fit and caused the king’s wife to fall in love with the bull (which produced the Minotaur as offspring) and sent the formerly docile white bull on a murderous rampage through Crete.
The King of Crete had to build a maze to stash the Minotaur in, feeding it prisoners to keep it alive. Meanwhile, he gave Hercules his permission to capture the white bull and dispose of it.
Hercules snuck up behind the bull and captured it with his bare hands, returning with it to Eurystheus, who once again hid in his large jar like a frightened little boy. Eurystheus wanted to sacrifice the bull to Hera but since she despised Hercules, she refused the offering.
Hercules released the (still rampaging) bull to wander off, which eventually made its way to Marathon. Later, Theseus would capture it and sacrifice the bull to Athena…but that’s another story.
This is wonderful. Our hero Hercules is off to capture the Cretan Bull. Need I say more? Note, also, Hercules didn’t kill this one.
Well, Ron, at least they wouldn’t have any little minotaurs…
I found it interesting that Hercules didn’t kill this one.
Eurytheus told him to capture it, Ciara. Maybe if he killed it, the labor would have been null and void.
Maybe Hercules had enough blood on his hands at this point.
You would think so, Alex!
I’m glad the bull lived at least a little longer.
Here’s to a bull-free weekend!
Ha! I’m hoping for a bull-free weekend as well, Carol.
Wow, Hercules surprised me. Thank you for teaching me something new.
I’m learning a lot about him as I’m doing this, Savannah.
Poor bull. He did have a rough life. Glad he doesn’t reside among the gangsta cows though. I don’t need to be rampaged on.
I don’t know, Mary. Your gangsta cows might have been just the diversion he needed.
Laura, you won a prize on my blog, but I don’t have your email. Please contact me. Thanks!
I won something? How awesome! I just emailed you.
Congratulations, Laura!
Thanks, Ron!
Theseus, one of the great heroes of Greek mythology and one of my all time faves!
I’ll have to remember that as a future victim of mine, Jay.
Bulls always seem to get the short end of the stick in myths. You reminded me of my favourite painting by Matisse, Europa and the Bull. It hangs in the Canberra Art Gallery and I fell in love with it when I was 9.
Thanks for the memory!
How wonderful that you appreciated art at such a young age, Charmaine. Bulls do seem to hold a fascination for the gods.
Hi Laura .. I must come back and read all your Greek mythology posts .. they make fascinating reading – I hadn’t realised that about the Cretan Bull ..
Cheers for now .. Hilary
Hi Hilary! I hadn’t known too much about him before. Now I’m feeling a bit sorry for him.
wonder why Hercules spared him.
Nutschell
http://www.thewritingnut.com
Hi nutschell. Maybe he was hoping the bull would come back and terrorize Eurystheus some more.