Labours of Heracles
The commanded programme expanded from ten tasks to twelve when two completed labours were rejected.
Overview
The Labours are not twelve isolated trophies but a programme in which authority determines commands, methods and counting. Pseudo-Apollodorus begins with ten tasks; the Hydra is rejected because Iolaus helped and the stables because payment was involved, so the apples and Cerberus bring the total to twelve. Other ancient authors preserve different totals, orders and placements of the madness; these remain attributed variants rather than one synthetic timeline.
Key facts
Ten tasks become twelve
The Bibliotheca begins with ten requirements and adds two after two completed tasks are rejected.
The order is source-specific
Diodoran variantDiodorus places Cerberus before the apples, showing that the familiar order is not shared by every ancient source.
Relationships
- Heraclesundertakes the Labours
Heracles undertakes the full sequence under Eurystheus’ command.
- Eurystheuscommands and counts the Labours
Eurystheus issues tasks and determines which results count.
- Nemean Lionpart of the Labours
This figure, target or episode belongs to the commanded sequence of the Labours.
- Lernaean Hydrapart of the Labours
This figure, target or episode belongs to the commanded sequence of the Labours.
- Ceryneian Hindpart of the Labours
This figure, target or episode belongs to the commanded sequence of the Labours.
- Erymanthian Boarpart of the Labours
This figure, target or episode belongs to the commanded sequence of the Labours.
- Augean Stablespart of the Labours
This figure, target or episode belongs to the commanded sequence of the Labours.
- Stymphalian Birdspart of the Labours
This figure, target or episode belongs to the commanded sequence of the Labours.
- Cretan Bullpart of the Labours
This figure, target or episode belongs to the commanded sequence of the Labours.
- Mares of Diomedespart of the Labours
This figure, target or episode belongs to the commanded sequence of the Labours.
- Hippolytapart of the Labours
This figure, target or episode belongs to the commanded sequence of the Labours.
- Cattle of Geryonpart of the Labours
This figure, target or episode belongs to the commanded sequence of the Labours.
- Golden Apples of the Hesperidespart of the Labours
This figure, target or episode belongs to the commanded sequence of the Labours.
- Heracles Descends to Hadesis the final labour
The Cerberus descent forms the twelfth task in the selected order.
- Eurystheusrejects the Hydra labour
Eurystheus refuses to count the second task because Iolaus helped.
- Eurystheusrejects the paid labour
Eurystheus rules that work undertaken for payment cannot count.
Story appearances
- The Labours of HeraclesLabours of Heracles in the Labours
Labours of Heracles 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.
- Pseudo-Apollodorus, Bibliotheca, 2.4.12: purification, Delphic command, service and the initial ten tasks
- Pseudo-Apollodorus, Bibliotheca, 2.5.1: the invulnerable lion, cave tactic and delivery of its skin
- Pseudo-Apollodorus, Bibliotheca, 2.5.2: regrowing heads, Iolaus and fire, poison and rejection
- Pseudo-Apollodorus, Bibliotheca, 2.5.3: year-long pursuit, live capture and Artemis’ challenge
- Pseudo-Apollodorus, Bibliotheca, 2.5.4: Pholus’ wine, the centaur conflict and live capture in snow
- Pseudo-Apollodorus, Bibliotheca, 2.5.5: reward bargain, river diversion, refusal and second rejection
- Pseudo-Apollodorus, Bibliotheca, 2.5.6: Athena’s bronze clappers drive the birds from cover
- Pseudo-Apollodorus, Bibliotheca, 2.5.7: bull variants, live capture, display, release and Marathon aftermath
- Pseudo-Apollodorus, Bibliotheca, 2.5.8: man-eating mares, Abderus’ death, defeat of the Thracian king and delivery
- Pseudo-Apollodorus, Bibliotheca, 2.5.9: Hippolyta offers the belt, Hera spreads a false report and conflict follows
- Pseudo-Apollodorus, Bibliotheca, 2.5.10: Helios’ cup, Erytheia, Geryon’s cattle and Hera’s gadfly
- Pseudo-Apollodorus, Bibliotheca, 2.5.11: Prometheus’ advice, Atlas’ burden, counter-ruse and return of the apples
- Pseudo-Apollodorus, Bibliotheca, 2.5.12: Taenarum, Hades’ condition, unarmed mastery, display and return
- Homer, Iliad, Book 19.95–133: Hera manipulates the births so Eurystheus receives rule first
- Diodorus Siculus, Library of History, 4.25.1–4.26.4: Cerberus eleventh, apples last, and alternative apple accounts
- Euripides, Heracles, Lines 1–25: the family awaits Heracles as he completes the Cerberus task
- Euripides, Heracles, Lines 815–1015: Iris and Lyssa bring madness after the hero returns
- Diodorus Siculus, Library of History, 4.9.4–5, 4.10.6–4.11.1: variant in which twelve tasks are agreed from the outset