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    Herakles Bibliography

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    Index of Ancient References

    The goal of this particular page is to bring you, the Herakles enthusiast (or "Hercules" enthusiast, if you're a Latinist or a Kevin Sorbot fan), as many ancient references as are reasonably possible which pertain to the great hero. Hence, you will find ancient references about Herakles' mythical deeds and labors, but also references to real temples, shrines, and statues which were set up to honor him, as well as the attendant cults and priesthoods which were established to worship him.

    This list is not exhaustive, but it is thorough enough to point you to all of the reasonably-accessible major sources for further study of this subject. If you have found an ancient reference which relates to a Heraklean deed or event not already covered here, please feel free to email me so I can include it. Thanks.

    NB. A special thanks goes to Ross Scaife in the University of Kentucky's Classics Department for formatting the links to references which are carried by The Perseus Project.

      EJK


    Table of Contents

    General

      Additional Names, Titles & Attributes-
      Origins and Family
      Early Deeds
      Proto-Praxis: Herakles against the Minyans
      Herakles and Megara
      Herakles' Sons

    Erga, Parerga and Praxeis
    (Labors, Deeds, and Campaigns)

      The Background
      His Weapons
      Labor 1: Nemean Lion
      Labor 2: Lernaian Hydra
      Labor 3: Keryneian Hind
      Labor 4: Erymanthian Boar
      Parergon 1: Pholos
      Labor 5: Stables of Augeas
      Labor 6: Stymphalian Birds
      Labor 7: Cretan Bull
      Labor 8: The Mares of Diomedes the Thracian, son of Ares
      Labor 9: Girdle of Hippolyte the Amazonian Queen
      Parergon 2: Troy
      Labor 10: Geryoneus Tergeminus and his cattle
      Parergon 3: Return and visit to Latium, other travels
      Labor 11: Apples of the Hesperides
      Parergon 4: Visits to Lybia, Egypt
      Labor 12: Cerberus
      Parergon 5: Alkyoneus
      Parergon 6: Cycnus / Kyknos
      Praxis 2: Herakles against the Pylians
      Praxis 3: Herakles in Lacedaemon
      Praxis 4: Herakles in Mysia
      Parergon 7: Achelous, Deianira and Nessus
      Parergon 8: Eurytos, Iphitos and Iole
      Parergon 9: Delphi
      Parergon 10: Omphale, Cercopes, and others
      Praxis 5: Herakles returns to Troy, detours to Cos
      Mega-ergon 1: Herakles in the Gigantomachy
      Death and Apotheosis

    Other (Later) Tales of Herakles:

      Herakles and the Argonauts
      Miscellaneous Praxeis (not in "chronological" order)
      Miscellaneous Parerga (not in "chronological" order)
      Miscellaneous Murders and other foul deeds (not in "chronological" order)
      Herakles and Nature (not in "chronological" order)

    Herakles: Religious and official functions (not in "chronological" order):

      Temples, Alters and Cults, etc. "founded" by Herakles
      Cities and monuments "founded" by Herakles
      Games "founded," or participated in, by Herakles
      Herakles in Art
      Herakles in Cult
        Among the Greeks and their neighbors:
        "Sacred" Images of Herakles
        Modes of worship
        Non-Greek Cults of Herakles
        Temples, Sanctuaries, Precincts and Dedications to Herakles in GREECE
        Temples and Sacred Precincts dedicated to Hercules in ROME
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    General

    Additional Names, Titles & Attributes

    • Original name = Alkides : Pindar, fr 291 SM, Apollod. vol. 1.183 (renamed by Delphic Sibyl, Apollod. vol. 1.183 )
    • Original name = Alkaios , changed to Herakles by the Argives: Diodoros 4.10.1
    • Assistant: Paus. 5.8.1 , Paus. 5.14.7 , Paus. 6.23.3
    • Bright-eyed: Paus. 9.34.5
    • Buraicus: Paus. 7.25.10
    • Champion: Paus. 9.11.4
    • Egyptian: Paus. 10.13.8 , Hdt. 2.43 (who claims Amphitryon and Alkmene were Egyptians)
    • of the Grotto: Paus. 10.32.5
    • Horsebinder: Paus. 9.26.1
    • Idaean: Paus. 5.7.6 , 9, Paus. 5.13.8 , Paus. 8.31.3 , Paus. 9.19.5 , Paus. 9.27.8
    • Manticlus: Paus. 4.23.10 , Paus. 4.26.3
    • Nosedocker: Paus. 9.25.4
    • Thasian: Paus. 6.11.2 cf. Paus. 5.25.12
    • Theban: Paus. 5.8.8 , Paus. 5.13.11 , Paus. 8.48.1
    • Of Tiryns: Paus. 10.13.8

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    Origins and Family

    • great grandson of Pelops: Paus. 5.13.2
    • in Greek legend son of Alkmene and Amphitryon and father of Hyllus: Hdt. 2.43 -45, Hdt. 2.145 , Hdt. 5.43 , Hdt. 6.53 , Hdt. 7.193 , Hdt. 7.204 , Hdt. 8.43 , Paus. 5.13.2 , Paus. 5.14.1 , 9
    • Zeus' affair with Alkmene; he persuades Helios not to rise for 3 days so he can stay with Alkmene longer: Homer, Iliad 14.323-324 ; Plautus Amphitruo , 112-114; Diodoros 4.9.2
    • Zeus comes to Alkmene as Amphitryon: Pindar Nemean 10.13-18
    • his birth delayed, and Eurystheus' accelerated by Hera: Homer, Iliad 19.95-125
    • his birth delayed by the Ilithyias: Apollod. vol. 1.167
    • born along with his twin Iphicles: Apollod. vol. 1.175
    • suckled by Hera (perhaps by subterfuge) in order to obtain heavenly honors: Lykophron 38-39, 1327-28, Ps-Eratosthenes Katast 44, Hyginus Astr. 2.43, Paus. 9.25.2
    • strangles two serpents, sent by Hera, in his infancy: Pindar Nemean 10.33-72 , Apollod. vol. 1.175 , Paus. 1.24.2
    • Amhitryon consults Tiresias who prophesies Herakles' future deeds and apotheosis: Pindar Nemean 10.33-72
    • reared on a cattle farm: Apollod. vol. 1.177
    • his education: Apollod. vol. 1.175 -177
    • kills his music teacher Linus and tried for murder: Apollod. vol. 1.177 , Diodoros 3.67.2, Paus. 9.29.9
    • dwells at Tiryns: Paus. 5.2.2
    • Iphikles has a son, Iolaos, who becomes companion to H.: Aspis 79-89

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    Early Deeds

    • kills the lion of Cithaeron (Theban doublet of Nemean lion below): Apollod. vol. 1.177
    • dresses in the Cithaeronian lion's skin: Apollod. vol. 1.179
    • has intercourse with the fifty daughters of Thespius: in 7 nights Herodoros 31F20; in 1 night, Paus. 9.27.6 -7; or in 50 nights, Apollod. vol. 1.179

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    Proto-Praxis: Herakles against the Minyans

    • cuts off noses of Orchomenian heralds of Erginus: Apollod. vol. 1.179 -181, Paus. 9.25.4
    • makes peace with Erginus: Paus. 9.37.2
    • kills Erginus: Apollod. vol. 1.181
    • diverts Cephisus into plain of Orchomenus: Paus. 9.38.7
    • defeats Orchomenians: Paus. 9.17.1 , 2, Paus. 9.37.2
    • compels the Orchomenians/Minyans to pay tribute to Thebes: Apollod. vol. 1.181

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    Herakles and Megara

    • marries Megara, daughter of Kreon, as a reward for defeating Orchomenos: Odyssey 11.269-70 , Diodoros 4.10.6, Apollod. vol. 1.181 ; Paus. 1.41.1 , Paus. 9.11.2
    • kills his children by Megara in fit of madness: Paus. 9.11.2
    • goes mad and burns his children, is purified by Thespius, and ordered by the Delphic oracle to serve Eurystheus at Tiryns: Apollod. vol. 1.183 , Apollod. vol. 1.185 . See also Euripides' Herakles Mainomenos for a fuller account.
    • stunned by stone hurled by Athena so he won't, in his madness, kill Amphitryon: Paus. 9.11.2 (see also Eur. HM)
    • Sacrifices and games intituted to memorialize Herakles' 8 children: Pindar, Isthmian 4.61-64
    • divorces his wife Megara: Paus. 10.29.7
    • gives Megara to Iolaus: Apollod. vol. 1.237

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    Herakles' Sons

    • his sons: Apollod. vol. 1.273 -277
    • father of:
        Aechmagoras: Paus. 8.12.4 ;
        Antiochus: Paus. 1.5.2 , Paus. 2.4.3 , Paus. 10.10.1 ;
        Ctesippus: Paus. 2.19.1 , Paus. 3.16.6 ;
        Echephron and Promachus: Paus. 8.24.2
        Glenus: Paus. 4.30.1 ;
        Phaestus: Paus. 2.6.6 ;
        Telephos: Paus. 9.31.2 ;
        Theagenes: Paus. 6.11.2 ;
        Tyrsenus: Paus. 2.21.3
    • his sons (the Heraclids) flee to Ceyx at Trachis: Apollod. vol. 1.277
    • his sons come to Athens and claim protection: Apollod. vol. 1.277

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    ERGA, PARERGA and PRAXEIS

    The Background Reasons for Herakles' Labors

    • Herakles and Eurystheus as lovers: Athenaeus 13.603d
    • expelled by Eurystheus from Tiryns: Paus. 8.14.2
    • flees from Eurystheus: Paus. 1.32.6
    • tasks imposed on him by Eurystheus: Hymn 15, Paus. 8.18.3
    • labors imposed as penance by Delphic Oracle for killing his children: Apollod. vol. 1.185
    • his labors: Soph. Trach. 1089-1100 , Eur. Herakles 359-424, Diodoros 4.11-26, Apollod. vol. 1.185 -237, Hyginus Fab. 30, Virgil Aeneid 8.287ff. , Ovid Met. 9.182ff., Paus. 1.19.3 , Paus. 1.27.10 , Paus. 3.17.3 , Paus. 5.10.9 , Paus. 5.26.7 , Paus. 9.11.6 , Quintus Smyrnaeus Fall of Troy 6.208ff.

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    His Weapons

    • his bow and arrows: Paus. 5.13.4 , Apollod. vol. 2.51 , 2.195
    • receives bow and arrows from Apollo, sword from Hermes, golden breastplate from Hephaistos, robe from Athena: Apollod. vol. 1.181 -3
    • receives horses from Poseidon: Diodoros 4.13.3
    • bow and arrows a gift from Apollo: Apollod. vol. 1.183
    • his club: Paus. 2.31.10
    • cuts himself a club at Nemea: Apollod. vol. 1.183

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    Labor 1: Nemean Lion

    • the lion's hide impervious to weapons: Pindar Is. 6.47-48 , Bacch. 13.46-54
    • slays Nemean lion: Hesiod Th. 326-32, Paus. 3.18.15 , Paus. 5.10.9 , Paus. 5.11.5 , Paus. 5.25.7 , Paus. 5.26.7 , Paus. 6.5.5 , Apollod. vol. 1.185 -187
    • on his return Eurystheus hides in a bronzes pythos in fear: Apollod. vol. 1.187

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    Labor 2: Lernaian Hydra

    • kills the Lernaian hydra: Hesiod Th. 313-318, Apollod. vol. 1.187 -189, Paus. 5.10.9 , Paus. 5.17.11 , Paus. 5.26.7 , Paus. 10.18.6
    • sears the Hydra's necks: Eur. Herakles 419-24
    • one head immortal, buried under a rock: Apollod. vol. 1.187 -189
    • poisons his arrows with gall of hydra: Soph. Trach. 573-74 , Paus. 2.37.4 , Apollod. vol. 1.189

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    Labor 3: Keryneian Hind

    • hind has golden horns: Pindar Ol. 3, Diodoros 3.12.1
    • escapes from Artemis: Hymn to Artemis 3.98-109
    • sacred to Artemis: Apollod. vol. 1.191
    • the hind as a marauder who steals from the populace, and whom H. kills: Eur. Herakles 375-79
    • hunts it for a year, then shoots and wounds it and brings it alive to Mycenae: Apollod. vol. 1.191

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    Labor 4: Erymanthian Boar

    • origin in Erymanthos: Soph. Trach. 1097
    • hunts Erymanthian (Arcadian) boar: Paus. 5.10.9 , Paus. 5.26.7 , Paus. 8.24.5
    • brings the Erymanthian boar to Mycenae: Apollod. vol. 1.191 , 195
    • traps it in a snow drift and brings it alive to Eurystheus who hides in a bronzes pythos in fear: Diodoros 4.12.1-2
    • kills boar: Hyginus Fab. 30

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    Parergon 1: Pholos

    • visits Pholos, son of Silenos, drinks wine, fights Centaurs: Diodoros 4.12.3-8
    • Fights the Centaurs: Paus. 5.19.9 , Paus. 3.18.10 ; Apollod. vol. 1.193
    • fights Oreus the Centaur: Paus. 3.18.16
    • wounds Cheiron or Pylenor: Paus. 5.5.10

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    Labor 5: Stables of Augeas

    • cleanses land of Elis of dung: Paus. 5.1.9 ff., Paus. 5.10.9 , Paus. 9.11.6
    • cleans out the cattleyard of Augeas and is refused his reward by Augeas: Diod. 4.13.3; Apollod. vol. 1.195 -197
    • makes war on Augeas (and the Eleans): Paus. 2.15.1 , Paus. 5.2.1 , Paus. 6.20.16 , Paus. 8.14.9 , Paus. 8.15.7 , Paus. 8.25.10 , Paus. 5.3.1 , Paus. 5.8.3
    • captures Oechalia and slays Eurytus and Cteatus (sons of Actos): Apollod. vol. 1.249 , 1.265-267; Paus. 2.15.1
    • captures Elis and kills Augeas: Apollod. vol. 1.249

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    Labor 6: Stymphalian Birds

    • shoots Stymphalian birds: Paus. 5.10.9 , Paus. 8.22.4 , Paus. 9.11.6 , Apollod. vol. 1.197 -199; Diodoros 4.13.2

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    Labor 7: Cretan Bull

    • contest with bull of Cnosus (Cretan bull): Paus. 1.27.10 , Paus. 5.10.9
    • brings the Cretan bull to Eurystheus at Mycenae (the bull then goes to Marathon): Apollod. vol. 1.199

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    Labor 8: The Mares of Diomedes the Thracian, son of Ares

    • defeats the Bistones, brings the mares of Diomedes to Eurystheus: Apollod. vol. 1.201 -203
    • punishes Diomede the Thracian: Paus. 3.18.12 , Paus. 5.10.9
    • See also Eur. Alk. 481-98, Her. 380-86

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    Labor 9: Girdle of Hippolyte the Amazonian Queen

    • expedition against the Amazons: Apollod. vol. 1.141 , Paus. 5.11.4 , Paus. 5.25.11 , Paus. 7.2.7 , Ap. Rh. 2.966-9
    • Heracles and girdle of Amazon: Paus. 5.10.9 ; Eur. Her. 408-18, Ion 1143-45
    • brings the belt of the Amazon Hippolyte to Eurystheus: Apollod. vol. 1.203 -5, 209

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    Parergon 2: Troy

    • at Troy: Apollod. vol. 1.23
    • delivers Hesione, daughter of Laomedon, at Troy from a seabeast, but is defrauded of his reward by Laomedon: Apollod. vol. 1.205 -209, Hom. Il. 20.144-48

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    Labor 10: Geryoneus Tergeminus and his cattle

    • receives from the Sun a golden goblet in which he crosses the ocean: Apollod. vol. 1.213
    • ordered to fetch the kine of Geryon from Erythia, comes to Erythia, kills Geryon and drives away his kine: Hesiod Th. 289-94, 981-83; Hdt. 4.8 .1; Eur. Her. 422-24; Apollod. vol. 1.211 -215

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    Parergon 3: Return and visit to Latium, other travels

    • his return from Tartessos: Dion. Hal. 1.35.2-3, 1.41
    • his peaceful stopover in Latium: Diod. 4.21.1-4
    • robbed of the cattle in Latium by Cacus: Dion. Hal. 1.39; Aen. 8.190-272; Propert. 4.9.1-20; Ov. Fasti 1.453-82
    • fathers Pallas and Latinus: Dion. Hal. 1.43
    • Crosses over to Sicily, wrestles with Eryx: Diod. 4.23; Paus. 3.16.4 ff., Paus. 4.36.4
    • Travels to Scythia, lays with Echidna (snake-woman), fathers Skythes, etc.: Hdt. 4.8 -9

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    Labor 11: Apples of the Hesperides

    • extorts an answer from Nereus: Apollod. vol. 1.223
    • relieves Atlas of his burden: Apollod. vol. 1.231 , Paus. 5.10.9 , Paus. 5.11.5 , Paus. 5.18.4
    • gets the apples of the Hesperides from Atlas: Apollod. vol. 1.231
    • alternatively, defeats the snake guarding the apples: Soph. Trach. 1090-91 , 1099-1100; Eur. Her. 394-407; Ap. Rh. 4.1396-1407; Lucan 9.360-67; Sen. HF 530-32
    • then fetches apples of Hesperides himself: Paus. 2.13.8 , Paus. 6.19.8 , Apollod. vol. 1.219 -221

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    Parergon 4: Visits to Lybia, Egypt

    • wrestles and kills Antaios: Pin. Ol B. 984, Is. 4.52-55; Diod. 4.17.4, 4.27.3; Ov. Meta. 9.183f.; Luc. 4.593-653; Apollod. vol. 1.223 , Paus. 9.11.6
    • attacked by Pygmies while asleep: Philostratus Imag. 2.22
    • goes to Egypt, massacres Egyptians: Apollod. vol. 1.223 ; Hdt. 2.45 ; Diod. 4.18, 27
    • haled to the altar to be sacrificed, but kills Busiris: Apollod. vol. 1.227 ; Ovid, ArsAm 1.647-52; Hyg. Fab 56
    • sails up the Nile to Ethiopia, attacked by King Emathion, whom he kills: Diod. 4.27.3; Apollod. vol. 1.227

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    Labor 12: Cerberus

    • is inducted into Eleusinian Mysteries in order to acquire knowledge to succeed: Eur. Her. 612-13
    • Persephone delivers the dog on a leash: Diod. 4.26.1
    • drags up "hound of hell"(Cerberus) from Hades: Iliad 8.362-369 , Odyssey 11.620-626 , Apollod. vol. 1.233 , 237; Paus. 2.31.2 , Paus. 2.35.10 , Paus. 3.18.13 , Paus. 3.25.5 , Paus. 5.26.7 , Paus. 9.34.5
    • brings up Theseus from Hades: Apollod. vol. 1.153 ; Paus. 1.17.4 ; H. and Theseus, Paus. 1.27.7 ; and Perithoos, Diod. 4.26.1;
    • his adventures in Hades (against Medusa, Meleagros and Menoites): Apollod. vol. 1.235 -237
    • wounds Hades (the god, that is): Paus. 6.25.3
    • rescues Alcestis from Hades: Apollod. vol. 1.93

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    Parergon 5: Alkyoneus

    • Fights the giant Alkyoneus: Pindar, Is. 6.31-35 , Nem. 4.25-30

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    Parergon 6: Cycnus / Kyknos

    • goes to Trachis: Apollod. vol. 1.261 , Apollod. vol. 1.263 ; resides with Ceyx, king of Trachis: Paus. 1.32.6
    • fights Cycnus, son of Ares: Apollod. vol. 1.221 , Paus. 1.27.6 , Paus. 3.18.10 ; kills Cycnus: Apollod. vol. 1.265

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    Praxis 2: Herakles against the Pylians

    • swears to sons of Neleus on pieces of boar: Paus. 4.15.8
    • ravages Pylus: Apollod. vol. 1.85 , 1.251
    • captures Pylus: Paus. 2.18.7 , Paus. 3.26.8 , Paus. 6.25.2
    • captures Pylus, slays Neleus and his sons: Apollod. vol. 1.251

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    Praxis 3: Herakles in Lacedaemon

    • wounded in fight with Hippocoon and his sons: Paus. 3.15.5 , Paus. 3.19.7 , Paus. 8.53.9
    • captures Lacedaemon, slays Hippocoon and his sons: Diod. 4.33.5-6; Apollod. vol. 1.251 -253, vol. 2.23; Paus. 2.18.7 , Paus. 3.10.6 , Paus. 3.15.5 -6, 9.

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    Praxis 4: Herakles in Mysia

    • goes to Mysia, defeats the Bebryces, and kills their king Mygdon: Apollod. vol. 1.205
    • seduces Auge: Apollod. vol. 1.397 ; Paus. 8.4.9 , Paus. 8.47.4 , Paus. 10.28.8
    • begets Telephus on Auge: Apollod. vol. 1.253 -257

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    Parergon 7: Achelous, Deianira and Nessus

    • wrestles with Achelous for Deianira: Apollod. vol. 1.65 , 1.257, Paus. 3.18.16 , Paus. 6.19.12 ; Ov. Meta. 9.1-100
    • wounds Nessus who is trying to rape Deinira: Soph. Trach. 555-77 ; Diod 4.36.3-4; Paus. 3.18.12 , Paus. 10.38.2
    • Nessus tells D. to apply his ejaculate to his cloak for a (deadly) love charm: Diod 4.36.5; Apollod. vol. 1.261
    • kills Nessus: Apollod. vol. 1.261

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    Parergon 8: Eurytos, Iphitos and Iole

    • woos Iole: Apollod. vol. 1.237 -239; Soph. Trach. 476-78 ; Diod. 4.31.1-2
    • archery contest: Apollod. vol. 1.237 -239
    • captures Oechalia and slays Eurytus and Cteatus (sons of Actos): Apollod. vol. 1.249 , 1.265-267; Paus. 2.15.1
    • kills guest Iphitus, attempts to be purified by Deiphobus: Apollod. vol. 1.239 ; Paus. 3.15.3

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    Parergon 9: Delphi

    • goes to Delphi for purification, takes tripod away in anger when refused: Diod. 4.31.4-5; Apollod. vol. 1.239 -241
    • contends with Apollo for tripod and carries it off: Paus. 3.21.8 , Paus. 8.37.1 , Paus. 10.13.7 , 8
    • founds sanctuary of Pythian Apollo: Paus. 8.15.5

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    Parergon 10: Omphale, Cercopes, and others

    • H. enslaved to Omphale for 3 yrs: Apollod. vol. 1.101 , 1.241-243; Diod. 4.31.5-8; Soph. Trach. 248-53 , 274-78
    • binds the Cercopes at Ephesos: Apollod. vol. 1.241 ; Diod. 4.31.7

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    Praxis 5: Herakles returns to Troy, detours to Cos

    • expedition to avenge Laomedon's deed: Iliad 5.628-51 ; Hes. fr 43a MW; Diod. 4.32.1-5; Paus. 7.19.9 , Paus. 8.36.6 ; Apollod. vol. 2.61
    • Herakles comes with Argo (alt. acct.): Diod. 4.49.3-6
    • Troy not to be taken without the bow of: Apollod. vol. 2.221 -223
    • captures Ilium: Apollod. vol. 1.245 , Apollod. vol. 2.45 , Hom. Il. 5.628-51
    • aided by Iolaus: Pin. Nem 3.36-37; Paus. 5.17.11
    • aided by Telamon: Pin. Nem 3.36-37, Is 6.27-31
    • gives Hesione to Telamon: Apollod. vol. 1.245 , Apollod. vol. 1.247
    • prays for a male child for Telamon: Apollod. vol. 2.61
    • detoured to Cos, ravages Cos: Iliad 14.249-56 , 15.18-30; Apollod. vol. 1.247
    • gives Eurypylus a chest: Paus. 7.19.9

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    Mega ergon 1: Herakles in the Gigantomachy

    • sides with the gods in their war with the giants: Hes. Th. 954; Hes. fr 43a.65 MW; Apollod. vol. 1.247
    • shoots the giants: Apollod. vol. 1.45 -47

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    Death and Apotheosis

    • Herakles killed by Hera: Iliad 18.117-119
    • Herakles' eidlon (shade) in Hades while he resides in Olympus: Odyssey 11.601-27
    • tortured by the poisoned robe he burns himself on Mt. Oeta: Apollod. vol. 1.269 -271
    • Death and resurrection: Hes fr 25.26-33 MW
    • led to heaven by Athena: Paus. 3.18.11 , Paus. 3.19.5
    • obtains immortality: Apollod. vol. 1.271
    • marries Hebe: Apollod. vol. 1.271 -273; Paus. 1.10.3 , Paus. 2.13.3

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    Other (Later) Tales of Herakles:

    Herakles and the Argonauts

    • in the Argo: Apollod. vol. 1.97 ; 1.101; 1.103
    • and Hylas: Apollod. vol. 1.101
    • H. left by the Argonauts at Aphetae: Apollod. vol. 1.101

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    Miscellaneous Praxeis (not in "chronological" order):

    • at battle of Marathon: Paus. 1.15.3
    • besieges Themiscyra: Paus. 1.2.1
    • conquers the Dryopes: Apollod. vol. 1.263 ; Paus. 4.34.9 , 10
    • fights for the Dorians against the Lapiths: Apollod. vol. 1.263
    • marches against the Thesprotians: Apollod. vol. 1.259

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    Miscellaneous Parerga :(not in "chronological" order):

    • delivers Prometheus: Paus. 5.11.6 , Apollod. vol. 1.53 , 1.229
    • fights giant Thurius: Paus. 3.18.11
    • restores Tyndareus: Apollod. vol. 1.253
    • his adventures at Aenus, Thasos, and Torone: Apollod. vol. 1.209
    • received by Dexamenus, king of Olenus: Paus. 7.18.1
    • visits Pittheus: Paus. 1.27.7
    • punishes Saurus: Paus. 6.21.3
    • lodged at Cleonae by Molorchus: Apollod. vol. 1.185 , Apollod. vol. 1.187
    • rides horse Arion: Paus. 8.25.10
    • goes into exile: Apollod. vol. 1.261

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    Miscellaneous Murders and other foul deeds (not in "chronological" order):

    • kills Amyntor: Apollod. vol. 1.265
    • kills Cyathus: Paus. 2.13.8
    • kills Eunomus: Apollod. vol. 1.259
    • kills Lepreus after being challenged to eating-match by him: Paus. 5.5.4
    • kills Periclymenus: Apollod. vol. 1.85 , Apollod. vol. 1.251
    • kills Syleus: Apollod. vol. 1.241 , Apollod. vol. 1.243
    • kills Zetes and Calais: Apollod. vol. 2.107
    • kills some of the sons of Minos in Paros: Apollod. vol. 1.203 , Apollod. vol. 1.205

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    Herakles and Nature (not in "chronological" order):

    • destroys wild beasts in Europe: Apollod. vol. 1.211
    • digs channel for river Olbius or Aroanius: Paus. 8.14.3 , Paus. 8.19.4
    • wrenches olive: Paus. 2.28.2
    • brings olive to Greece from land of Hyperboreans: Paus. 5.7.7
    • makes chasms for water of Pheneus: Paus. 8.14.1 ff.
    • brings white poplar to Greece from Thesprotis: Paus. 5.14.2
    • scrapes up thistles: Paus. 6.23.1

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    Herakles: Religious and official functions (not in "chronological" order):

    • opens and closes sanctuary of Demeter daily: Paus. 9.19.5
    • healed by Aesculapius in sanctuary of Demeter: Paus. 3.19.7 , Paus. 3.20.5
    • heals sick: Paus. 9.24.3
    • buries Icarus: Paus. 9.11.5 , Apollod. vol. 1.243
    • buries Sostratus and offers him some of his hair: Paus. 7.17.8
    • one of Idaean Dactyls: Paus. 5.7.6 , 9, Paus. 5.13.8 , Paus. 6.23.3 , Paus. 8.31.3 , Paus. 9.19.5 , Paus. 9.27.8
    • serves as Laurel-bearer at Thebes: Paus. 9.10.4

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    Temples, Alters and Cults, etc. "founded" by Herakles

    • builds temple of Cotylean Aesculapius: Paus. 3.19.7
    • makes altar out of blood of victims: Paus. 5.13.11
    • founds altars of Pelops and the twelve gods at Olympia: Apollod. vol. 1.251
    • Herakles makes altar of Zeus: Paus. 5.13.8
    • sacrifices to Zeus Averter of Flies (Beelzebub): Paus. 5.14.1
    • assigns precinct to Pelops: Paus. 5.13.2
    • sacrifices to Saviour Zeus: Apollod. vol. 1.185 -187
    • proposes to sacrifice to Zeus at Cenaeum: Apollod. vol. 1.267
    • sacrifices a bullock (at Lindus): Apollod. vol. 1.227
    • sacrifices goats to Hera: Paus. 3.15.9

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    Cities and monuments "founded" by Herakles

    • founds Abdera: Apollod. vol. 1.201
    • founds Gythium along with Apollo: Paus. 3.21.8
    • sets up the pillars of Herakles (Straits of Gibraltar) at Tartessus: Apollod. vol. 1.211 -213
    • Pillars of Herakles farthest western waters known to Herodotus: Hdt. 2.33 , Hdt. 4.8 , Hdt. 4.42 , Hdt. 4.152 , Hdt. 4.181 , Hdt. 4.185 , Hdt. 4.196 , Hdt. 8.132

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    Games "founded," or participated in, by Herakles

    • the first to hold Olympic games: Paus. 5.7.7 , 9, Paus. 5.8.3 , Paus. 8.48.1 , Apollod. vol. 1.249
    • wins in wrestling and pancratium at Olympia: Paus. 5.8.4
    • at funeral games of Pelias: Paus. 5.17.9

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    Herakles in Art (on view in ancient times):

    • Images on the Greek Mainland (still on view in the mid-2nd century C.E.): Paus. 1.8.4 , Paus. 1.24.2 , Paus. 1.27.6 , Paus. 2.3.2 , Paus. 2.4.5 , Paus. 2.9.8 , Paus. 2.10.1 , 7, Paus. 2.11.8 , Paus. 2.17.6 , Paus. 2.34.1 , Paus. 3.10.6 , Paus. 3.14.6 , 8, Paus. 3.15.3 , Paus. 3.17.3 , Paus. 3.18.10 -13, 15-16, Paus. 3.19.5 , Paus. 3.21.8 , Paus. 3.24.6 , Paus. 4.31.10 , Paus. 4.32.1 , Paus. 5.11.6 , 8, Paus. 5.25.11 , 12, 27, Paus. 5.26.7 , Paus. 6.19.12 , Paus. 6.23.5 , Paus. 7.5.5 -8, Paus. 7.23.10 , Paus. 7.24.4 , Paus. 7.25.10 , Paus. 7.26.6 , Paus. 8.31.3 , Paus. 8.35.2 , Paus. 8.37.1 , Paus. 9.11.4 , 6, Paus. 9.25.4 , Paus. 9.32.2 , Paus. 9.34.5 , Paus. 9.38.6 , Paus. 10.13.6 , 7, Paus. 10.18.6 , Paus. 10.32.5 ; Strabo 6.3.1 ; Pliny, NH 34.40
    • For image of Herakles made by Daedalus: Paus. 9.40.3
    • image of Herakles in all Greek gymnasiums: Paus. 4.32.1

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    Herakles in Cult:

    Among the Greeks and their neighbors:

    • God of Dorians: Paus. 4.8.2
    • Greek cult in the 5th century B.C.E.: Hdt. 7.176 , Hdt. 5.63 , Hdt. 6.108 , Hdt. 6.116
    • First worshipped as god at Marathon: Paus. 1.15.3 , Paus. 1.32.4
    • worshipped at Acharnae: Paus. 1.31.6
    • Eleans sacrifice to Herakles: Paus. 5.4.6
    • worshipped at Erythrae: Paus. 7.5.5 , Paus. 9.27.8
    • worshipped at Thasos: Paus. 5.25.12
    • Sicyonian mode of sacrificing to Herakles as god and hero: Paus. 2.10.1
    • Sanctuary of Herakles called Cynosarges: Paus. 1.19.3

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    "Sacred"Images of Herakles:

    • Represented by unwrought stone: Paus. 9.24.3
    • Image of Herakles in all Greek gymnasiums: Paus. 4.32.1
    • Image of Herakles floats from Tyre to Erythrae: Paus. 7.5.5 -8

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    Modes of worship:

    • Oracle of Herakles by dice: Paus. 7.25.10
    • Sacrifices to Herakles accompanied by curses: Apollod. vol. 1.227
    • Virgin priestess of Herakles: Paus. 9.27.6
    • Festivals of Herakles: Paus. 2.10.1 , Paus. 9.32.2 , 4

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    Non-Greek Cults of Herakles:

    • Cults of deities identified with Herakles in Egypt and elsewhere in the 5th century B.C.E.: Hdt. 1.7 , Hdt. 2.42 , Hdt. 2.44 , Hdt. 2.83 , Hdt. 2.113 , Hdt. 2.144 , Hdt. 4.8 , Hdt. 4.10 , Hdt. 4.59 , Hdt. 4.82
    • worshipped at Tyre (Melqart): Paus. 5.25.12 , Paus. 9.27.8 , Paus. 7.5.5 -8 (see also Josephus, Antiquities in passages regarding Hiram of Tyre)

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    Temples, Sanctuaries, Precincts and Dedications to Herakles in Greece:

    • Temples: Paus. 1.19.3 , Paus. 2.10.1 , Paus. 2.11.8 , Paus. 3.15.3 , Paus. 4.23.10 , Paus. 4.30.1 , Paus. 6.21.3 , Paus. 7.5.5 , Paus. 8.32.3 , Paus. 9.11.4 , 6, Paus. 9.24.3 , Paus. 9.26.1 , Paus. 9.27.6 -8, Paus. 9.32.2 , 4, Paus. 9.38.6
    • Gymnasium and stadium of Herakles: Paus. 9.11.7
    • Altars of Herakles: Paus. 1.19.3 , Paus. 1.30.2 , Paus. 1.34.3 , Paus. 5.8.1 , Paus. 5.14.7 , 9, Paus. 6.23.3
    • Fountain of Herakles: Paus. 2.32.4
    • Tripod dedicated to Herakles: Paus. 10.7.6

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    Temples, Sanctuaries, Precincts and Dedications in ROME:

    (See: Richardson, L. jr. A New Topographical Dictionary of Ancient Rome = NTDAR, Baltimore, 1992)
    • Hercules, Templum (1): outside Colline Gate (NTDAR,185)
    • Hercules, Templum (2): near Pons Aelius (NTDAR,185)
    • Hercules Cubans (shrine): east of Viale di Trastevere (NTDAR,185-6)
    • Hercules (Magnus) Custos, Aedes: near W. end of Circus Flaminius; before 3d c. B.C.E. (NTDAR,186)
    • Hercules Fundanus, Templum: loc. unc., cf. SHA Tacitus 17.2. (NTDAR,186)
    • Hercules Invicti Ara Maxima: altar in Forum Boarium. Legendary origins (time of Evander); within Pomoerium "of Romulus"; restored by Nero after fire of 64 C.E. (NTDAR,186-7)
    • Hercules Invictus (H)eschyanus, Aedes: loc. unc., 1st c. C.E. inscr. (NTDAR,187)
    • Hercules Musarum, Aedes: Temple built by Fulvius Nobilior, 187 B.C., in Regio IX. (NTDAR,187)
    • Hercules Olivarius: Statue (now lost); base found in Regio XI (NTDAR,187)
    • Hercules Pompeianus, Aedes: Temple built or restored by Pompey next to the Circus Maximus. (NTDAR,188)
    • Hercules Sullanus: monument built by Sulla, 88 B.C., commemorating victory over Marians. (NTDAR,187)
    • Hercules Triumphalis: Statue in Forum Boarium ascribed to Evander; loc. on triumphal route. (NTDAR,187)
    • Hercules Victor, Aedes (1): Round temple in the Forum Boarium, last rebuilt in 2d c. C.E. (NTDAR,188-9)
    • Hercules Victor/Invictus, Aedes (2): Temple ad Portam Nigrinam with legendary origins. (NTDAR,189)
    • Hercules Victor, Aedes (3): Temple built by L. Mummius, 142 B.C. for Achaean victory. (NTDAR,189)

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      Copyright 1998-2002 Eric Kondratieff/Forum Antiquum. Last Updated: 15 February, 2002