---
title: The Twelve Labours of Herakles
author: Simeon Netchev
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/17052/the-twelve-labours-of-herakles/
format: machine-readable-alternate
license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0)
updated: 2025-10-06
---

# The Twelve Labours of Herakles

_Authored by [Simeon Netchev](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/simeonnetchev/)_

## Image File

[![The Twelve Labours of Herakles](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/17052.png)](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/17052.png)

## Image Caption

The Twelve [Labours of Herakles](https://www.worldhistory.org/hercules/), codified as a fixed cycle by the poet Peisander around c. 600 BCE, represent one of the most enduring mythological narratives of ancient [Greece](https://www.worldhistory.org/greece/). [Herakles](https://www.worldhistory.org/hercules/), born a demi-[god](https://www.worldhistory.org/God/) as the son of [Zeus](https://www.worldhistory.org/zeus/) and the mortal Alcmene, became the archetypal hero of strength, courage, and suffering. His myth reflects not only [Greek](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/greek/) religious thought but also broader cultural values about fate, justice, and human resilience in the face of divine hostility. Pursued relentlessly by [Hera](https://www.worldhistory.org/Hera/), who despised him as Zeus’ illegitimate son, Herakles was tricked out of his inheritance and driven into a madness that led to the killing of his wife and children.

As penance, Herakles was compelled by the Oracle of [Delphi](https://www.worldhistory.org/delphi/) to serve King Eurystheus of [Tiryns](https://www.worldhistory.org/tiryns/) and [Mycenae](https://www.worldhistory.org/mycenae/) (reign c. late 13th century BCE in mythic chronology) for twelve years, completing a sequence of seemingly impossible tasks. These included slaying the Nemean Lion, capturing the Erymanthian Boar, cleaning the Augean Stables, and seizing the Apples of the [Hesperides](https://www.worldhistory.org/Hesperides/). Across the [Mediterranean](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/mediterranean/), his exploits symbolized human confrontation with chaos, nature, and mortality, while his lion-skin cloak and club became his defining attributes in art and [literature](https://www.worldhistory.org/literature/). The Labours not only cemented Herakles as Greece’s greatest hero but also influenced [Roman](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Roman/) tradition, where he was worshipped as [Hercules](https://www.worldhistory.org/hercules/), embodying endurance and divine strength across antiquity.

#### Editorial Review

This human-authored image has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/).

## About the Author

Simeon is a freelance visual designer and history educator, passionate about the human stories that shape the past.
- [Linkedin Profile](https://www.linkedin.com/in/simeon-netchev/)

## Cite This Work

### APA
Netchev, S. (2023, February 13). The Twelve Labours of Herakles. *World History Encyclopedia*. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/17052/the-twelve-labours-of-herakles/>
### Chicago
Netchev, Simeon. "The Twelve Labours of Herakles." *World History Encyclopedia*, February 13, 2023. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/17052/the-twelve-labours-of-herakles/>.
### MLA
Netchev, Simeon. "The Twelve Labours of Herakles." *World History Encyclopedia*, 13 Feb 2023, <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/17052/the-twelve-labours-of-herakles/>.

## License & Copyright

Submitted by [Simeon Netchev](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/simeonnetchev/ "User Page: Simeon Netchev"), published on 13 February 2023. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0deed.en). This licence only allows others to download this content and share it with others as long as the author is credited, but they can't change the content in any way or use it commercially. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.