Cattle of Geryon
The herd taken from Erytheia and scattered by Hera’s gadfly on the return.
Overview
Geryon’s cattle extend the tenth labour from a single fight into a difficult return journey. Heracles crosses Ocean in Helios’ cup, kills the guards and owner, and drives the herd away. Theft interrupts the route in Italy, while Hera’s gadfly scatters the animals in Thrace. Only after extensive recovery are the remaining cattle delivered to Eurystheus.
Key facts
The herd on Erytheia
The cattle are kept on Erytheia beyond Ocean under a herdsman and guard dog.
Scattered by the gadfly
Hera sends a gadfly that disperses the herd and forces Heracles to search for the animals.
Relationships
- Labours of Heraclespart of the Labours
This figure, target or episode belongs to the commanded sequence of the Labours.
- Geryonowns the Erytheian cattle
Geryon owns the distant herd and is its final defender.
- Erytheialocated on Erytheia
Geryon’s cattle are kept on Erytheia beyond Ocean.
- Heraclesdrives away the cattle
After the guards and Geryon fall, Heracles drives the herd away.
- Herascatters with a gadfly
On the return, Hera sends a gadfly that scatters the herd.
Story appearances
- The Labours of HeraclesCattle of Geryon in the Labours
Cattle of Geryon enters this story through Heracles' labours; when other stories return to the figure, they follow that later setting.
Ancient sources
MythWeave distinguishes ancient-source evidence from later adaptations and modern interpretation.