As soon as Hercules returned to Tiryns, Eurystheus again sent him to the feat. This was already the eleventh labor that Hercules had to perform in the service of Eurystheus. Hercules had to overcome incredible difficulties during this feat. He had to descend into the gloomy, horror-filled underworld of Hades and bring the guardian of the underworld, the terrible hellish dog Kerberus, to Eurystheus. Kerberus had three heads, snakes writhed around his neck, and his tail ended with the head of a dragon with a huge mouth. Hercules went to Laconia and through the gloomy abyss at Tenar descended into the darkness of the underworld. At the very gates of the kingdom of Hades, Hercules saw the heroes Theseus and Perithous, king of Thessaly, rooted to the rock. They were punished this way by the gods because they wanted to kidnap his wife Persephone from Hades. Theseus prayed to Hercules:
- Oh, great son of Zeus, free me! You see my torment! You alone have the power to rid me of them!
Hercules extended his hand to Theseus and freed him. When he wanted to free Perithous, the earth trembled, and Hercules realized that the gods did not want his release. Hercules submitted to the will of the gods and went further into the darkness of eternal night. Hercules was introduced into the underground kingdom by the messenger of the gods, Hermes, the guide of the souls of the dead, and the companion of the great hero was the beloved daughter of Zeus herself, Pallas Athena. When Hercules entered the kingdom of Hades, the shadows of the dead scattered in horror. Only the shadow of the hero Meleager did not run away at the sight of Hercules. She turned with a prayer to the great son of Zeus:
- Oh, great Hercules, I ask you one thing in memory of our friendship, take pity on my orphaned sister, the beautiful Deianira! She remained defenseless after my death. Take her as your wife, great hero! Be her protector!
Hercules promised to fulfill his friend’s request and went further after Hermes. The shadow of the terrible gorgon Medusa rose towards Hercules, she menacingly extended her copper hands and flapped her golden wings, snakes moved on her head. The fearless hero grabbed his sword, but Hermes stopped him with the words:
- Don't grab the sword, Hercules! After all, this is just an ethereal shadow! She doesn't threaten you with death!
Hercules saw many horrors on his way; Finally, he appeared before the throne of Hades. The ruler of the kingdom of the dead and his wife Persephone looked with delight at the great son of the thunderer Zeus, who fearlessly descended into the kingdom of darkness and sorrow. He, majestic, calm, stood before the throne of Hades, leaning on his huge club, wearing a lion skin thrown over his shoulders, and with a bow over his shoulders. Hades graciously greeted the son of his great brother Zeus and asked what made him leave the light of the sun and descend into the kingdom of darkness. Bowing before Hades, Hercules answered:
- Oh, ruler of the souls of the dead, great Hades, do not be angry with me for my request, Omnipotent! You know that I did not come to your kingdom of my own will, and it is not of my own will that I will ask you. Allow me, Lord Hades, to take your three-headed dog Kerberus to Mycenae. Eurystheus, whom I serve at the command of the bright Olympian gods, told me to do this.
Hades answered the hero:
- I will fulfill your request, son of Zeus; but you must tame Kerberus without weapons. If you tame him, then I will allow you to take him to Eurystheus.
For a long time Hercules searched for Kerberus in the underworld. Finally, he found him on the banks of Acheron. Hercules wrapped his arms, strong as steel, around Kerberus’ neck. The dog Hades howled menacingly; the entire underground kingdom was filled with his howl. He tried to escape from the embrace of Hercules, but the hero’s powerful hands only squeezed Kerberus’s neck tighter. Kerberus wrapped his tail around the hero’s legs, the dragon’s head sank its teeth into his body, but all in vain. The mighty Hercules squeezed his neck harder and harder. Finally, the half-strangled dog Hades fell at the hero’s feet. Hercules tamed him and led him from the kingdom of darkness to Mycenae. Kerber was afraid of daylight; he was covered all over with cold sweat, poisonous foam dripped from his three mouths onto the ground; Everywhere where even a drop of foam dropped, poisonous herbs grew.
Hercules led Kerberos to the walls of Mycenae. The cowardly Eurystheus was horrified at one glance at the terrible dog. Almost on his knees he begged Hercules to be taken back to the kingdom of Hades Kerberos. Hercules fulfilled his request and returned Hades his terrible guard Kerberus.
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru