Geryon
Hercules was required to obtain the cattle of Geryon for his tenth labor, according to the account I read. Obtain is a rather bland word for steal, since Geryon wouldn’t have given them to Hercules. Geryon lived on the island of Erytheia, on the far side of the Libyan desert. By different accounts he had: three heads and one body; or three bodies; or six hands and six feet and wings; or three bodies joined to one pair of legs. All agree he was a giant, the grandson of Medusa and a badass. ‘Nuff said.
While Hercules sweated across the Libyan desert he shot an arrow at Helios, the Sun. Helios admired his courage and gave him a golden cup, which Hercules used to sail back and forth across the sea to the island.
When Hercules reached the island, Orthrus, a two-headed guard dog and brother to Cerberus, attacked him. Hercules killed the dog with his club. Then he killed the herdsman in the same manner.
Geryon arrived, carrying three shields, three spears, and wearing three helmets, chasing Hercules to the River Anthemus. At that point, Hercules shot Geryon in the forehead with an arrow dipped in the Lernaean Hydra’s venomous blood and killed the giant.
He herded the magnificent red cattle back toward home. The Romans added to the story by saying Cacus stole some of the cattle while Hercules slept but he later retrieved them from a cave…or the marketplace. Lots of versions here.
Meanwhile, Hera sent a gadfly to bite the cattle and annoy Hercules. The cattle scattered and it took a year to retrieve them all. Then Hera sent a flood into the river so they couldn’t cross and Hercules had to build a dam out of stones to lower the water.
When Hercules finally made it back home again, he presented the cattle to Eurystheus. The king then sacrificed them all to Hera.
How does a cup sail him across a desert? Oh wait, this is Hercules.
Ouch, clubbing isn’t a great way to go.
Have a great weekend!!
I know, Ciara! A cup? Really?
Hera would’ve received her sacrifice sooner if she hadn’t messed with Hercules.
She probably didn’t invite anyone to the barbeque either, Alex!
Hercules can’t catch a break. He defeats the giants, steals the cattle and then someone steals some from him. By this point, he’s got to be exhausted.
I would have given up long ago, Buffy. Tell Eurystheus he could keep his throne and go find some nice island to relax on.
Laura, you got the right idea!
They should have a “like” button here!
Your posts are getting me all inspired…
I hope you’re not planning on taking up cattle stealing, Savannah…
If I were Hercules, I’d stay the heck home. Seriously. It’s a cruel world he lived in. Send out for pizza!
You’re so right, Helen!
Geryon must have had a great PR guru to keep his identity so hidden no one knew what he looked like. Maybe the old, elusive Howard Hughes took a page from his playbook.
Happy Weekend!
Yes, Geryon certainly was a giant of mystery, Carol!
That Hera is rascally. Wish the sun would give me treasures. I wonder if throwing a rock at it would work.
Maybe if you shined your little green pointer at it, Mary. It’d be worth a try.
Laura, I went to Wikipedia and looked up Geryon and couldn’t discover why he was considered a bad guy, although Dante places him rather deep in the Inferno. He must’ve been a good farmer, raising that magnificent herd of cattle. Oh, well, I’ll just have to assume my buddy Hercules justifiably killed him and took his cattle. Eurystheus, though, must’ve been out of his mind. After he “obtained” the cattle, he should’ve kept them to raise more and live in beef-barbeque heaven. Instead, he kills them all. What a waste. (Can you tell I grew up on a farm where we raised cattle?)
I thought it was a waste too, Ron. But then, most sacrifices to the gods are. As to Geryon, the only references I find to his being the bad guy are being Medusa’s grandson and being a monster with human faces. Oh, and the whole giant thing. I guess people were terrified of his size. Virgil’s placement between violence and fraud is also suggestive, although his description is more that of a manticore. At least he was helpful.
There’s delicious irony here. After going to all that trouble to “obtain”, and then re-obtain, the cattle Hercules delivers them to someone who sacrifices them all to Hera. Gotta love one final twist of the blade, no?
Nice work on these legends and myths, Laura. They are a great read.
An ironic kick in the face for sure, Kevin.
Thank you and I’m glad you’re enjoying them!
Hi Laura .. lots here – just amazing … love the thought of the red cattle – sorry they were all sacrificed – these are inspiring myths aren’t they – I must learn more .. cheers Hilary
Myths fascinate me, Hilary. Those cattle sure were ornery. My favorite cattle are the real shaggy ones in Scotland.