Prīmus et Secundus Annus 1732 Studios

Latin · Unit 38

Hercules

Fabulae Faciles

Hercules, a Greek hero celebrated for his great strength, was pursued throughout his life by the hatred of Juno. While yet an infant, he strangled some serpents sent by the goddess to destroy him. During his boyhood and youth he performed various marvelous feats of strength, and on reaching manhood succeeded in delivering the Thebans from the oppression of the Minÿae. In a fit of madness sent upon him by Juno, he slew his own children; and on consulting the Delphic oracle as to how he should cleanse himself from this crime, he was ordered to submit himself for twelve years to Eurystheus, king of Tiryns, and to perform whatever tasks were appointed him. Hercules obeyed the oracle, and during the twelve years of his servitude accomplished twelve extraordinary feats known as the Labors of Hercules. His death was caused unintentionally by his wife Dejanira. Hercules had shot with his poisoned arrows a centaur named Nessus, who had insulted Dejanira. Nessus, before he died, gave some of his blood to Dejanira, and told her it would act as a charm to secure her husband's love. Some time after, Dejanira wishing to try the charm soaked one of her husband's garments in the blood, not knowing that it was poisoned. Hercules put on the robe, and after suffering terrible torments died, or was carried off by his father Jupiter.

297 lines

The Hatred of Juno (Fabulae Faciles 12)

  1. 1

    Hercules, the son of Alcmena, once lived in Greece.

    Herculēs,Hercules: Hercules
    AlcmēnaeAlcmena: Alcmena
    fīlius,filius: son
    ōlimolim: formerly, once upon a time
    inin, on; into, to, against
    GraeciāGraecia: Greece
    habitābat.habito: dwell, abide, inhabit
  2. 2

    He is said to have been the strongest of all men.

  3. 3

    But Juno, the queen of the gods, hated Alcmena and wanted to kill Hercules while he was still an infant.

  4. 4

    She therefore sent two most savage serpents; these came in the middle of the night into the bedroom of Alcmena, where Hercules was sleeping with his brother.

  5. 5

    They were lying, however, not in a cradle, but on a great shield.

  6. 6

    The serpents had already drawn near and were moving the shield; and so the boys were roused from sleep.

serpentīs
serpent, snake, from serpens
cūnīs
cradle, from cuna

Hercules and the Serpents (Fabulae Faciles 13)

  1. 7

    Iphicles, the brother of Hercules, cried out in a loud voice; but Hercules himself, a most brave boy, was not frightened at all.

  2. 8

    With his little hands he at once seized the serpents, and crushed their necks with great force.

  3. 9

    In such a way the serpents were killed by the boy.

  4. 10

    Alcmena, however, the mother of the boys, had heard the shouting, and had roused her husband from sleep.

  5. 11

    He lit a lamp and snatched up his sword; then he was hurrying to the boys, but when he came to the place he saw an astonishing thing, for Hercules was laughing and showing him the dead serpents.

prehendit
catch, from prehendo

The Music-lesson (Fabulae Faciles 14)

  1. 12

    From boyhood Hercules used to train his body diligently; he spent a great part of the day in the wrestling-school; he learned too to draw the bow and to hurl the javelin.

  2. 13

    By these exercises his strength was made firm.

  3. 14

    In music too he was taught by Linus the centaur (the centaurs, however, were horses but had the head of a man); to this art, though, he applied himself less diligently.

  4. 15

    This Linus once scolded Hercules, because he was not studious; then the angry boy suddenly snatched up the lyre, and struck the head of his unlucky master with all his strength.

  5. 16

    He was laid low by the blow, and a little later departed from life, and no one afterwards was willing to take on that duty.

palaestrā
palaestra, wrestling school
exercitātiōnibus
exercise, training, from exercitatio
centaurō
centaur, a mythical creature, from Centaurus
obiūrgābat
scold, chide, from objurgo

Hercules Escapes Sacrifice (Fabulae Faciles 15)

  1. 17

    About Hercules this too, among other things, is told.

  2. 18

    Once while he was making a journey, he came into the territory of the Egyptians.

  3. 19

    There a certain king, Busiris by name, was reigning at that time; and this most cruel man had made a practice of sacrificing men.

  4. 20

    He therefore seized Hercules and threw him into chains.

  5. 21

    Then he sent out messengers and appointed a day for the sacrifice.

  6. 22

    Soon that day was drawing near, and everything was prepared according to the rite.

  7. 23

    The hands of Hercules were bound with iron chains, and salted meal was sprinkled on his head.

  8. 24

    For it was the custom among the ancients to put salt and grain on the heads of the victims.

  9. 25

    Already the victim was standing at the altar; already the priest had taken up the knife.

  10. 26

    Suddenly, however, Hercules broke his chains with a great effort; then with one blow he laid the priest low; with another he killed the king himself.

appetēbat
seek, desire, from appeto
mola
millstone
salsa
salted things
īnspersa
sprinkle upon
cōnātū
effort, from conatus
perrūpit
break through, from perrumpo

A Cruel Deed (Fabulae Faciles 16)

  1. 27

    Hercules, now a young man, was living at Thebes.

  2. 28

    The king of Thebes, a cowardly man, was called Creon.

  3. 29

    The Minyae, a most warlike people, were neighbors to the Thebans.

  4. 30

    Envoys were sent every year from the Minyae to the Thebans; these came to Thebes and demanded a hundred oxen.

  5. 31

    For the Thebans had once been overcome by the Minyae; so they paid tribute every year to the king of the Minyae.

  6. 32

    But Hercules decided to free his fellow citizens from this payment; he therefore seized the envoys, and cut off their ears.

  7. 33

    Envoys, however, are held sacred among all peoples.

Thēbīs
Thebes, from Thebae
Minyae
the Minyae
bellicōsissima
warlike, fierce, from bellicosus
tribūta
tax, tribute, from tributum
sānctī
saint, from sanctum

The Defeat of the Minyae (Fabulae Faciles 17)

  1. 34

    Erginus, king of the Minyae, violently angry at this, at once hurried with all his forces into the territory of the Thebans.

  2. 35

    Creon learned of his coming through scouts.

  3. 36

    He himself, however, was unwilling to fight, for he had been seized with great fear; the Thebans therefore made Hercules their commander.

  4. 37

    He sent messengers out in all directions and gathered forces; then on the next day he set out with a great army.

  5. 38

    He chose a suitable place and drew up his line of battle.

  6. 39

    Then the Thebans made an attack on the enemy from the higher ground.

  7. 40

    But those men could not withstand the attack; and so the enemy's line was driven back and turned to flight.

pulsa
beat, from pello

Madness and Murder (Fabulae Faciles 18)

  1. 41

    After this battle Hercules led his forces back to the city.

  2. 42

    All the Thebans were rejoicing greatly over the victory; and Creon honored Hercules with great honors, and gave him his own daughter in marriage.

  3. 43

    Hercules was leading a happy life with his wife; but after a few years he suddenly fell into madness, and with his own hand killed his own children.

  4. 44

    After a short time he was brought back to his senses, and was filled with great grief because of this deed; soon he fled from the city and withdrew into the woods.

  5. 45

    For the citizens were unwilling to hold conversation with him.

furōrem
madness, from furor
sānitātem
health, sanity, from sanitas

Hercules Consults the Oracle (Fabulae Faciles 19)

  1. 46

    Hercules greatly desired to make atonement for so great a crime.

  2. 47

    He decided therefore to go to the oracle at Delphi; for this oracle was the most famous of all.

  3. 48

    There stood a temple of Apollo adorned with very many gifts.

  4. 49

    In this temple sat a certain woman, Pythia by name, and she gave counsel to those who came to the oracle.

  5. 50

    This woman, moreover, was taught by Apollo himself, and declared the will of the god to men.

  6. 51

    Hercules therefore, who worshipped Apollo especially, came here.

  7. 52

    Then he set out the whole matter, and did not conceal his crime.

Delphicum
Delphic, from Delphicus

The Oracle's Reply (Fabulae Faciles 20)

  1. 53

    When Hercules had finished, Pythia at first was silent; at last, however, she ordered him to go to the city of Tiryns, and to do everything king Eurystheus commanded.

  2. 54

    When Hercules heard this, he hurried to that city, and gave himself into slavery to king Eurystheus.

  3. 55

    For twelve years he served the most cruel Eurystheus, and completed twelve labors, which that man had commanded; for in this one way alone could so great a crime be atoned for.

  4. 56

    About these labors very many things have been written by the poets.

  5. 57

    Many things, however, which the poets tell are scarcely believable.

Tīryntha
Tiryns, a city of Argolis
crēdibilia
credible, from credibilis

First Labor: The Nemean Lion (Fabulae Faciles 21)

  1. 58

    First Hercules was ordered by Eurystheus to kill the lion which at that time was making the valley of Nemea unsafe.

  2. 59

    He therefore betook himself at once into the woods in which the lion lived.

  3. 60

    Soon he saw the beast, and drew the bow which he had brought with him; he could not, however, pierce its hide, which was very thick.

  4. 61

    Then he struck the lion with the great club which he always carried, but in vain; for not in this way either could he kill it.

  5. 62

    Then at last he threw his arms around the monster's neck and crushed its throat with all his strength.

  6. 63

    In this way the lion was in a short time killed; for no chance of breathing was given it.

  7. 64

    Then Hercules carried the carcass back to the town on his shoulders; and the hide, which he had stripped off, he wore afterwards instead of a garment.

  8. 65

    And all who lived in that region, when they received the report of the lion's death, rejoiced greatly and held Hercules in great honor.

Nemeaeam
of Nemea
clāvā
club, cudgel
respīrandī
breathe out, from respiro
dētrāxerat
drag, from detraho

Second Labor: The Lernean Hydra (Fabulae Faciles 22)

  1. 66

    A little later he was ordered by Eurystheus to kill the Hydra.

  2. 67

    This monster had nine heads.

  3. 68

    Hercules therefore set out with his friend Iolaus for the Lernean marsh, in which the Hydra lived.

  4. 69

    Soon he found the monster, and although the thing was of great danger, he seized its neck with his left hand.

  5. 70

    Then with his right he began to cut off the nine heads; but as often as he had done this, new heads kept springing up.

  6. 71

    For a long time he labored in vain; at last he gave up this attempt.

  7. 72

    Then he decided to cut down trees and to light a fire.

  8. 73

    This he did quickly, and after the wood had caught fire, he burned the necks with a blazing brand, where the heads kept springing up.

  9. 74

    Nor did he do this without great labor; for a huge crab came to the Hydra's help, which, while Hercules was cutting off the heads, kept biting his legs.

  10. 75

    After he had killed the monster in such a way, he steeped his arrows in its blood, and so made them deadly.

Hydram
the Hydra, from Hydra
Lernaeam
Lernæean, from Lernaeus
succīdere
cut down, from succido
līgna
wood, from lignum
adūssit
scorch, singe, from aduro
cancer
crab
mortiferās
deadly, fatal, from mortifer

Third Labor: The Cerynean Stag (Fabulae Faciles 23)

  1. 76

    After the slaying of the Hydra had been reported to Eurystheus, great fear took hold of his mind.

  2. 77

    He therefore ordered Hercules to bring a certain stag back to him; for he was unwilling to keep a man of such daring in the city.

  3. 78

    This stag, whose horns are said to have been of gold, was of incredible swiftness.

  4. 79

    Hercules therefore at first followed it by its tracks in the wood; then, when he saw the stag itself, he began to run with all his strength.

  5. 80

    He kept running right up to evening, and left himself no time at night for rest, but in vain; for in no way could he overtake the stag.

  6. 81

    At last, after he had run for a whole year (so it is handed down), he caught the stag, worn out by the chase, and brought it back alive to Eurystheus.

Fourth Labor: The Erymanthian Boar (Fabulae Faciles 24)

  1. 82

    Then indeed Hercules was ordered to catch a certain boar which at that time was laying waste the fields of Erymanthus and greatly terrifying the inhabitants of this region.

  2. 83

    Hercules undertook the task and set out for Arcadia.

  3. 84

    After he had gone forward a little into the wood, he met the boar.

  4. 85

    But as soon as it saw Hercules, it at once fled; and, terrified with fear, threw itself into a deep pit.

  5. 86

    Hercules therefore threw in the noose which he had brought, and with the greatest difficulty dragged the boar out of the pit.

  6. 87

    Although it fought back bravely, it could in no way free itself; and it was carried back alive by Hercules to Eurystheus.

Erymanthiōs
of Erymanthus
etsī
although, though

Hercules at the Centaur's Cave (Fabulae Faciles 25)

  1. 88

    About the fourth labor, which we have told of above, this too is handed down.

  2. 89

    While Hercules was making his journey into Arcadia, he came to that region which the centaurs inhabited.

  3. 90

    Since night was now drawing on, he turned aside to a cave in which a certain centaur, Pholus by name, was living.

  4. 91

    He received Hercules kindly and prepared a dinner.

  5. 92

    But Hercules, after he had dined, asked Pholus for wine.

  6. 93

    Now there was in the cave a great jar filled with the best wine, which the centaurs had stored there.

  7. 94

    Pholus therefore was unwilling to give this wine, because he feared the other centaurs; yet he had no wine in the cave except this.

  8. 95

    "This wine," he said, "has been entrusted to me.

  9. 96

    If therefore I give it, the centaurs will kill me." Hercules, however, laughed at him, and himself drew a cup of wine from the jar.

inrīsit
laugh at, ridicule, from inrideo

The Fight with the Centaurs (Fabulae Faciles 26)

  1. 97

    As soon as the jar was opened, a most delightful smell spread out in every direction; for the wine was very sweet.

  2. 98

    The centaurs caught the familiar smell and all gathered at the place.

  3. 99

    When they reached the cave, they were greatly angered because they saw Hercules drinking.

  4. 100

    Then they snatched up arms and wanted to kill Pholus.

  5. 101

    Hercules, however, took his stand in the entrance of the cave and withstood their attack most bravely.

  6. 102

    He hurled blazing brands at them; many too he wounded with his arrows.

  7. 103

    These arrows, moreover, were the same ones which had once been steeped in the Hydra's blood.

  8. 104

    All therefore whom he had wounded with his arrows were at once destroyed by the poison; and the rest, when they saw this, turned their backs and sought safety in flight.

iūcundissimus
pleasant, from jucundus
suāvissimum
agreeable, pleasant, from suavis
nōtum
well known, familiar, from notus

The Fate of Pholus (Fabulae Faciles 27)

  1. 105

    After the rest had fled, Pholus came out of the cave, and was looking at the bodies of those who had been killed by the arrows.

  2. 106

    He wondered greatly that they had been killed by so slight a wound, and was looking for the cause of the thing.

  3. 107

    He went therefore to the place where the body of a certain centaur was lying, and drew an arrow out of the wound.

  4. 108

    This, however, whether by chance or by the plan of the gods, slipped from his hands and lightly wounded his foot.

  5. 109

    He at once felt a heavy pain through all his limbs, and after a short time died from the force of the poison.

  6. 110

    Soon Hercules, who had pursued the remaining centaurs, returned to the cave, and with great grief saw Pholus dead.

  7. 111

    With many tears he gave his friend's body to burial; then, after he had drained a second cup of wine, he gave himself to sleep.

mīrātus
wonderful, strange
leviter
lightly
venēnī
poison, from venenum
exhausit
draw out, from exhaurio

Fifth Labor: The Augean Stables (Fabulae Faciles 28)

  1. 112

    Next Eurystheus laid this heavier labor on Hercules.

  2. 113

    A certain Augeas, who at that time held the kingship in Elis, had three thousand oxen.

  3. 114

    These were shut up in a stable of huge size.

  4. 115

    The stable, moreover, was covered with dirt and filth, for it had never been cleaned out up to this time.

  5. 116

    Hercules was ordered to clean this out within the space of one day.

  6. 117

    He, although the thing was one of much toil, took on the task.

  7. 118

    First with great labor he dug a trench eighteen feet wide, through which he brought the water of a river down from the mountains to the wall of the stable.

  8. 119

    Then, after he had broken through the wall, he let the water into the stable, and in such a way, against everyone's expectation, finished the work.

inclūdēbantur
shut up, imprison
inluviē
dirt, filth, from illuvies
squālōre
squalor, filth, from squalor
duodēvīgintī
eighteen

Sixth Labor: The Stymphalian Birds (Fabulae Faciles 29)

  1. 120

    After a few days Hercules made a journey to the town of Stymphalus; for Eurystheus had ordered him to kill the Stymphalian birds.

  2. 121

    These birds had beaks of bronze and fed on the flesh of men.

  3. 122

    After he reached the place, he saw a lake; and in this lake, which was not far from the town, the birds lived.

  4. 123

    No chance of coming near, however, was given; for the lake was made not of water but of mud.

  5. 124

    Hercules therefore could go forward neither on foot nor in a boat.

  6. 125

    When he had spent a great part of the day in vain, he gave up this attempt and betook himself to Vulcan, to seek help from him.

  7. 126

    Vulcan (who was worshipped above all by smiths) gave Hercules a rattle which he had made himself out of bronze.

  8. 127

    With this Hercules made so sharp a clatter that the birds in their terror flew away.

  9. 128

    And he, while they were flying away, pierced a great number of them with his arrows.

Stymphālidēs
the birds of Stymphalus
aēnea
copper, of copper, from aeneus
vēscēbantur
feed on, eat, from vesco
appropinquandī
approach
Volcānum
Vulcan, god of fire, from Vulcanus
fabrīs
workman, artisan, from faber
crepundia
child's rattle
fabricātus
craft, art
āvolārent
fly
āvolant
fly, from avolo

Seventh Labor: The Cretan Bull (Fabulae Faciles 30)

  1. 129

    Then Eurystheus ordered Hercules to bring back alive a certain most fierce bull from the island of Crete.

  2. 130

    He therefore boarded a ship, and since the wind was favorable, set sail at once.

  3. 131

    When, however, he was already drawing near the island, so great a storm suddenly arose that the ship could not hold its course.

  4. 132

    And so great a fear took hold of the sailors' minds that they almost gave up all hope of safety.

  5. 133

    Hercules, however, although he was unskilled in sailing, was not frightened at all.

  6. 134

    After a short time the greatest calm followed, and the sailors, who had now recovered from their fear, brought the ship safe to land.

  7. 135

    Hercules went out of the ship, and when he had come to the king of Crete, explained the reason for his coming.

  8. 136

    Then, after everything was prepared, he hurried to that region which the bull was laying waste.

  9. 137

    Soon he saw the bull, and although the thing was of great danger, he seized its horns.

  10. 138

    Then, when he had dragged the monster to the ship with enormous labor, he returned with his booty to Greece.

tranquillitās
stillness

Eighth Labor: The Man-eating Horses of Diomede (Fabulae Faciles 31)

  1. 139

    After he returned from the island of Crete, Hercules was sent by Eurystheus into Thrace, to bring back the horses of Diomede.

  2. 140

    These horses fed on the flesh of men; and Diomede, a most cruel man, used to throw to them all the strangers who had come into that region.

  3. 141

    Hercules therefore hurried into Thrace with great speed and demanded of Diomede that the horses be handed over to him.

  4. 142

    Since, however, he was unwilling to do this, Hercules, moved by anger, killed the king and ordered his body to be thrown to the horses.

  5. 143

    So a strange reversal of things came about; for the man who before had killed many with torture was himself killed by the same punishment.

  6. 144

    When this had been reported, all who lived in that region were filled with the greatest joy and gave Hercules the thanks he deserved.

  7. 145

    Not only did they honor him with the greatest honors and rewards, but they even begged him to take the kingship himself.

  8. 146

    He, however, was unwilling to do this, and when he had returned to the sea, he took possession of a ship.

  9. 147

    When everything was ready for sailing, he stowed the horses in the ship; then, when he had got favorable weather, he set sail from the harbor without delay, and a little later landed the horses on the shore of Argolis.

Thrāciam
Thrace, from Thracia
Diomēdis
Diomede, king of Thrace, from Diomedes
obiciēbat
throw before, cast, from obicio
commūtātiō
change, reversal
cruciātū
crusade, from cruciatus
Argolicum
Argolic, of Argolis, from Argolicus

Ninth Labor: The Girdle of Hippolyte (Fabulae Faciles 32)

  1. 148

    The race of the Amazons is said to have consisted entirely of women.

  2. 149

    These had the greatest knowledge of military matters, and showed such courage that they dared to join battle with men.

  3. 150

    Hippolyte, the queen of the Amazons, had a most famous girdle which Mars had given her.

  4. 151

    Admeta, moreover, the daughter of Eurystheus, had heard the report of this girdle and desired violently to possess it.

  5. 152

    Eurystheus therefore charged Hercules to gather forces and to make war on the Amazons.

  6. 153

    He sent messengers out in all directions, and when a great crowd had assembled, he chose out those who had the greatest experience in military matters.

Amāzonum
an Amazon, from Amazon

The Girdle is Refused (Fabulae Faciles 33)

  1. 154

    Hercules persuaded these men, after he had explained the reason for the journey, to make the journey with him.

  2. 155

    Then with those whom he had persuaded he boarded a ship, and since the wind was favorable, after a few days he put in at the mouth of the river Thermodon.

  3. 156

    After he came into the territory of the Amazons, he sent a messenger to Hippolyte, to explain the reason for his coming and to ask for the girdle.

  4. 157

    Hippolyte herself wanted to hand over the girdle, because she had heard the report of Hercules' courage; the other Amazons, however, persuaded her to refuse.

  5. 158

    But Hercules, when this had been reported, decided to try the fortune of war.

  6. 159

    On the next day therefore, when he had led out his forces, he chose a suitable place and called out the enemy to battle.

  7. 160

    The Amazons too led their forces out of camp and drew up their line no great distance from Hercules.

Thermōdontis
the Thermodon, a river of, from Thermodon
Hippolytam
Hippolyte, queen of the Amazons, from Hippolyta

The Battle (Fabulae Faciles 34)

  1. 161

    There was a marsh, not a large one, between the two armies; neither side, however, wanted to make a beginning of crossing.

  2. 162

    At last Hercules gave the signal, and when he had crossed the marsh, joined battle.

  3. 163

    The Amazons withstood the attack of the men most bravely, and against everyone's expectation showed such courage that they killed many of them and even put many to flight.

  4. 164

    For the men were thrown into confusion by the new kind of fighting and showed no great courage.

  5. 165

    Hercules, when he saw this, began to despair of his own fortunes.

  6. 166

    He therefore urged his soldiers strongly to keep the memory of their former courage, and not to allow so great a disgrace, and to withstand the enemy's attack bravely; and with these words he so raised the spirits of all that many even who were worn out with wounds renewed the battle without delay.

cohortātus
encourage, exhort, from cohorto
retinērent
retina
dēdecus
disgrace
admitterent
urge on, put to a, from admitto
hostiumque
requite, recompense
redintegrārent
renew, from redintegro

The Defeat of the Amazons (Fabulae Faciles 35)

  1. 167

    The fighting went on long and fiercely; at last, however, towards sunset so great a reversal of things took place that the women turned their backs and sought safety in flight.

  2. 168

    Many, moreover, worn out by their wounds, were taken while they fled, and in that number was Hippolyte herself.

  3. 169

    Hercules showed the greatest mercy, and after he had received the girdle, gave freedom to all the captives.

  4. 170

    Then indeed he led his companions back to the sea, and because not much of the summer was left, he made haste to set out for Greece.

  5. 171

    He therefore boarded the ship, and having got favorable weather set sail at once; before he reached Greece, however, he decided to put in at the city of Troy, for the grain which he had with him had already begun to run short.

clēmentiam
mercy, from clementia

Laomedon and the Sea-monster (Fabulae Faciles 36)

  1. 172

    A certain Laomedon at that time held the kingship of Troy.

  2. 173

    Neptune and Apollo had come to him in the previous year, and since Troy did not yet have walls, they had offered their help for this work.

  3. 174

    After the walls had been finished with their help, however, Laomedon was unwilling to pay the reward which he had promised.

  4. 175

    Neptune therefore and Apollo, angry for this reason, sent a certain monster of horrible appearance, which came out of the sea every day and devoured men and cattle.

  5. 176

    The Trojans, terrified with fear, kept themselves in the city, and had driven all their flocks from the fields within the walls.

  6. 177

    Laomedon, moved by this, consulted the oracle, and the god instructed him to throw his daughter Hesione to the monster.

persolvere
pay, from persolvo
Trōiānī
Trojan, from Troianus
praecēpit
take or receive in advance, from praecipio
Hēsionem
Hesione, daughter of Laomedon

The Rescue of Hesione (Fabulae Faciles 37)

  1. 178

    When this answer had been brought back to him, Laomedon felt great grief; but nevertheless, in order to free his citizens from so great a danger, he decided to obey the oracle and named a day for the sacrifice.

  2. 179

    But whether by chance or by the plan of the gods, Hercules reached Troy at the most favorable moment; for at the very point of time at which the girl, bound in chains, was being led down to the shore, he brought his ship to land.

  3. 180

    Hercules, on going out of the ship, was informed of what was happening; then, moved by anger, he betook himself to the king and offered his help.

  4. 181

    When the king had gladly granted him leave to free the girl if he could, Hercules killed the monster; and brought the girl, who had now given up all hope of safety, back unharmed to her father.

  5. 182

    Laomedon received his daughter with great joy, and gave Hercules the thanks he deserved for so great a kindness.

attigit
touch, touch, from attingo
punctō
point, from punctum

Tenth Labor: The Oxen of Geryon (Fabulae Faciles 38)

  1. 183

    Then indeed Hercules was sent to the island of Erythia, to fetch the oxen of Geryon.

  2. 184

    The task was one of the greatest difficulty, because the oxen were guarded by a certain Eurytion and by a two-headed dog.

  3. 185

    Geryon himself, moreover, presented a horrible appearance; for he had three bodies joined together.

  4. 186

    Hercules, however, although he understood how great the danger was, took on the task; and after he had made his journey through many lands, he reached that part of Libya which is nearest to Europe.

  5. 187

    There on each shore of the strait which divides Europe from Libya he set up pillars, which afterwards were called the Pillars of Hercules.

Erythīam
Erythia, the island of Geryon
Gēryonis
Geryon, the three-bodied king, from Geryones
Eurytiōne
Eurytion, herdsman of Geryon
bicipite
two-headed
fretī
sea, from fretum

The Golden Ship (Fabulae Faciles 39)

  1. 188

    While he was lingering here, Hercules was suffering great discomfort from the heat of the sun; at last therefore, moved by anger, he drew his bow and shot at the sun with his arrows.

  2. 189

    The Sun, however, so admired the man's daring that he gave him a golden boat.

  3. 190

    Hercules accepted this gift most gladly, for he had been unable to find any ship in these regions.

  4. 191

    Then he launched the boat, and having got a favorable wind, after a short time he reached the island.

  5. 192

    When he had learned from the inhabitants in what place the oxen were, he set out at once for that quarter and demanded of king Geryon that the oxen be handed over to him.

  6. 193

    Since, however, he was unwilling to do this, Hercules killed both the king himself and Eurytion, who was of huge size of body.

libentissimē
willingly

A Miraculous Hail-storm (Fabulae Faciles 40)

  1. 194

    Then Hercules decided to drive the oxen through Spain and Liguria; after everything was prepared, therefore, he carried the oxen across from the island to the mainland.

  2. 195

    The Ligurians, however, a most warlike people, while he was making his journey through their territory, gathered great forces and tried to keep him from going further.

  3. 196

    Hercules was in great difficulty, for the barbarians had taken their stand on higher ground and were hurling rocks and weapons at him.

  4. 197

    He indeed had almost given up all hope of safety, but at the most favorable moment Jupiter sent down from the sky a shower of huge stones.

  5. 198

    These fell with such force that they killed a great number of the Ligurians; Hercules himself, however (as tends to happen in such matters), took no hurt.

Liguriam
lick, lick up, from ligurio
trānsportāvit
carry across, transport, from transporto
Ligurēs
a Ligurian, from Ligur
tēlaque
web, from tela

The Passage of the Alps (Fabulae Faciles 41)

  1. 199

    After the Ligurians had been overcome in this way, Hercules went forward as quickly as possible and after a few days reached the Alps.

  2. 200

    It was necessary to cross these, in order to drive the oxen into Italy; the thing, however, was one of the greatest difficulty.

  3. 201

    For these mountains, which divide further Gaul from nearer Gaul, are covered with everlasting snow; for which reason neither grain nor fodder can be found in these regions.

  4. 202

    Hercules therefore, before he began to climb, got together a great supply of grain and fodder and loaded the oxen with this provision.

  5. 203

    After he had spent three days on this, on the fourth day he set out, and against everyone's expectation brought the oxen across unharmed into Italy.

ūlteriōrem
far, from ulterior
perennī
continual, from perennis
pābulum
fodder, forage

Cacus Steals the Oxen (Fabulae Faciles 42)

  1. 204

    In a short time he came to the river Tiber.

  2. 205

    At that time, however, there was no city in that place, for Rome had not yet been founded.

  3. 206

    Hercules, tired by the journey, decided to wait there a few days, in order to recover himself from his labors.

  4. 207

    Not far from the valley where the oxen were grazing there was a cave, in which Cacus, a horrible monster, was living at that time.

  5. 208

    He presented a terrible appearance, not only because he was of huge size of body, but because he breathed out fire from his mouth.

  6. 209

    Cacus, moreover, had heard the report of Hercules' arrival; he came therefore by night, and while Hercules was sleeping, carried off four of the most beautiful oxen.

  7. 210

    These he dragged by their tails into the cave, so that Hercules could not learn from their tracks in what place they had been hidden.

exspīrābat
breathe out, exhale
abripuit
drag, from abripio
cēlātī
secret, from celatum

Hercules Discovers the Theft (Fabulae Faciles 43)

  1. 211

    On the next day, as soon as he was roused from sleep, Hercules noticed the theft and looked for the lost oxen in every place.

  2. 212

    These, however, he could nowhere find, not only because he did not know the nature of the place, but because he was deceived by the false tracks.

  3. 213

    At last, when he had spent a great part of the day in vain, he decided to go on with the remaining oxen.

  4. 214

    But while he was preparing to set out, one of the oxen which he had with him began to low.

  5. 215

    Suddenly those which had been shut up in the cave gave back a lowing, and in this way informed Hercules in what place they had been hidden.

  6. 216

    He, violently angry, betook himself as quickly as possible to the cave, in order to recover his booty.

  7. 217

    But Cacus had thrown down a huge rock in such a way that the entrance of the cave was entirely blocked.

fūrtum
theft
dēceptus
deception
mūgītum
lowing, bellowing, from mugitus
obstruerētur
block up, barricade

Hercules and Cacus (Fabulae Faciles 44)

  1. 218

    Since Hercules could find no other way in, he tried to move this rock away, but because of its size the thing was very difficult.

  2. 219

    For a long time he labored in vain and could accomplish nothing; at last, however, with a great effort he moved the rock away and opened up the cave.

  3. 220

    There with great joy he caught sight of the lost oxen; but Cacus himself he could scarcely make out, because the cave was filled with the smoke which he was belching out after his manner.

  4. 221

    Hercules, disturbed by the unfamiliar sight, hesitated a short time; soon, however, he burst into the cave and threw his arms around the monster's neck.

  5. 222

    Although he struggled hard, he could in no way free himself, and since no chance of breathing was given him, he was soon killed.

introitum
entrance, from introitus
ēvomēbat
vomit out, from evomo
inūsitātā
unusual, uncommon, from inusitatus
haesitābat
stick hesitate, be undecided, from haesito

Eleventh Labor: The Golden Apples of the Hesperides (Fabulae Faciles 45)

  1. 223

    After Eurystheus received the oxen of Geryon, he laid on Hercules an eleventh labor, heavier than those we have told of above.

  2. 224

    For he charged him to carry off the golden apples from the garden of the Hesperides.

  3. 225

    The Hesperides, moreover, were certain nymphs of most outstanding beauty, who lived in a far-off land, and to whom certain golden apples had been entrusted by Juno.

  4. 226

    Many men, led on by greed for gold, had already tried before this to carry off these apples.

  5. 227

    The thing, however, was very difficult, for the garden in which the apples were was surrounded on every side by a huge wall; besides, a certain dragon which had a hundred heads guarded the gate of the garden carefully.

  6. 228

    The work therefore which Eurystheus had commanded Hercules was of the greatest difficulty, not only for the reasons we have mentioned, but also because Hercules did not know at all in what place that garden was situated.

dracō
dragon

Hercules Asks Aid of Atlas (Fabulae Faciles 46)

  1. 229

    Hercules, although he desired rest violently, nevertheless decided to obey Eurystheus, and as soon as he received his orders, made haste to set out.

  2. 230

    He had asked many traders in what place the Hesperides lived, but had been able to find out nothing certain.

  3. 231

    In vain he journeyed through many lands and underwent many dangers; at last, when he had spent a whole year on these journeys, he reached the furthest part of the world, which is nearest to the Ocean.

  4. 232

    Here stood a certain man, Atlas by name, of huge size of body, who (so it is handed down) held up the sky on his shoulders, so that it should not fall down onto the earth.

  5. 233

    Hercules, greatly wondering at such strength, at once came into conversation with Atlas, and when he had explained the reason for his journey, asked help from him.

Hercules Bears up the Heavens (Fabulae Faciles 47)

  1. 234

    Atlas, moreover, was able to help Hercules very greatly; for since he was himself the father of the Hesperides, he knew for certain in what place the garden was.

  2. 235

    After he had heard, therefore, for what reason Hercules had come, he said, "I will go to the garden myself and persuade my daughters to hand over the apples of their own accord." When Hercules heard this, he rejoiced greatly; for he did not want to use force, if the thing could be done otherwise.

  3. 236

    He decided therefore to accept the help that was offered.

  4. 237

    Atlas, however, demanded that, while he himself was away, Hercules should hold up the sky on his shoulders.

  5. 238

    Hercules took on this task gladly, and although the thing was of the greatest toil, he held up the whole weight of the sky alone for several days together.

scīvit
investigate, inquire, from scisco
continuōs
incessant, constantly repeated, from continuus

The Return of Atlas (Fabulae Faciles 48)

  1. 239

    Atlas meanwhile had gone off and had betaken himself as quickly as possible to the garden of the Hesperides, which was a few miles away.

  2. 240

    When he had come there, he set out the reason for his coming and urged his daughters strongly to hand over the apples.

  3. 241

    For a long time they hesitated; for they were unwilling to do this, because they had received this gift from Juno herself (as has been said before).

  4. 242

    Atlas, however, at length persuaded them to obey him, and brought the apples back to Hercules.

  5. 243

    Hercules meanwhile, when he had waited several days and had heard no news of the return of Atlas, was seriously troubled by this delay.

  6. 244

    At last on the fifth day he saw Atlas returning, and soon received the apples with great joy; then, after he had given thanks for so great a kindness, he made haste to set out for Greece.

Atlantis
Atlas, who holds up the
redeuntem
return, go back

Twelfth Labor: Cerberus the Three-headed Dog (Fabulae Faciles 49)

  1. 245

    After the golden apples had been brought back to Eurystheus, only one was left of the twelve labors which Pythia had laid down for Hercules.

  2. 246

    Eurystheus, since he feared Hercules greatly, wanted to send him to some place from which he could never return.

  3. 247

    He therefore gave him the task of dragging the dog Cerberus out of the lower world into the light.

  4. 248

    This work was the most difficult of all, for no one had ever returned from the lower world.

  5. 249

    Besides, that Cerberus was a monster of horrible appearance, which had three heads circled with savage serpents.

  6. 250

    Before we tell of this labor, however, it does not seem out of place, since we have made mention of the lower world, to set out a few things about that region.

mentiōnem
mention, making mention, from mentio

Charon's Ferry (Fabulae Faciles 50)

  1. 251

    About the lower world, which was also called Hades, this is handed down.

  2. 252

    As each man departed from life, his shade was led down by the god Mercury to the lower world, the home of the dead.

  3. 253

    The king of this region, which is said to have been under the earth, was Pluto, whose wife was Proserpina, the daughter of Jupiter and Ceres.

  4. 254

    The shades, therefore, led down by Mercury, came first to the bank of the river Styx, by which the kingdom of Pluto is enclosed.

  5. 255

    It was necessary to cross this before they could come into the lower world.

  6. 256

    Since, however, no bridge had been built over this river, the shades were ferried across by a certain Charon, who waited at the bank with a small boat.

  7. 257

    Charon demanded a fee for this service, and was unwilling to ferry anyone across unless he had first given this payment.

  8. 258

    For which reason it was the custom among the ancients to place a coin in the mouth of a dead man, with this purpose, that when he came to the Styx he might be able to pay the price of the crossing.

  9. 259

    Those, moreover, who after death had not been buried in the earth could not cross the Styx, but were forced to wander on the bank for a hundred years; then at last they were allowed to enter the lower world.

Mercuriō
Mercury, Roman god of commerce, from Mercurius
Stygis
of the Styx
trānsvehēbantur
transport, lead across
scaphā
skiff
mercēdem
pay, recompense, from merces
nummum
coin, from nummus
Stygem
the Styx
trāiectūs
Utrecht, city in Holland, from trajectus

The Realm of Pluto (Fabulae Faciles 51)

  1. 260

    When the shades had crossed the Styx in this way, they came to a second river, which was called Lethe.

  2. 261

    They were forced to drink water from this river; and when they had done so, they put out of their memory everything they had done in life.

  3. 262

    At last they came to the seat of Pluto himself, whose entrance was guarded by the dog Cerberus.

  4. 263

    There Pluto, clothed in black dress, sat on a throne with his wife Proserpina.

  5. 264

    There stood also, not far from that place, three other thrones, on which sat Minos, Rhadamanthus, and Aeacus, the judges among the dead.

  6. 265

    These declared the law to the dead and fixed their rewards and punishments.

  7. 266

    For the good came into the Elysian Fields, the home of the blessed; but the wicked were sent into Tartarus and were tortured there with many and various punishments.

soliō
throne, seat, from solium
Aeacusque
and Aeacus, a judge of
Ēlysiōs
Elysian, of the fields of, from Elysii
excruciābantur
torture

Hercules Crosses the Styx (Fabulae Faciles 52)

  1. 267

    After Hercules received the orders of Eurystheus, he betook himself at once into Laconia, to Taenarum; for there was a cave there of huge size, through which, as was handed down, men went down to the lower world.

  2. 268

    When he had come there, he asked the inhabitants in what place that cave was situated; and when he had learned this, he decided to go down without delay.

  3. 269

    He did not, however, make this journey alone, for Mercury and Minerva had joined themselves to him as companions.

  4. 270

    When he came to the bank of the Styx, Hercules boarded Charon's boat, in order to cross to the further bank.

  5. 271

    Since, however, Hercules was a man of huge size of body, Charon was unwilling to cast off; for he greatly feared that his boat, loaded with so great a weight, would sink in mid river.

  6. 272

    At last, however, terrified by Hercules' threats, Charon cast off, and brought him safe to the further bank.

minīs
Greek weight unit, from mina

The Last Labor is Accomplished (Fabulae Faciles 53)

  1. 273

    After he had crossed the river Styx in this way, Hercules came to the seat of Pluto himself; and after he had explained the reason for his coming, he asked him that he be allowed to carry Cerberus off.

  2. 274

    Pluto, who had heard the report of Hercules, received him kindly, and gladly gave the leave which he was asking.

  3. 275

    He demanded, however, that Hercules himself, when he had carried out the commands of Eurystheus, should bring Cerberus back again to the lower world.

  4. 276

    Hercules promised this, and dragged Cerberus, whom he had seized with his hands not without great danger, with the greatest labor out of the lower world into the light and to the city of Eurystheus.

  5. 277

    When he had come there, so great a fear took hold of Eurystheus' mind that he at once fled from the hall; and when he had recovered a little from his fear, with many tears he begged Hercules to bring the monster back to the lower world without delay.

  6. 278

    So, against everyone's expectation, those twelve labors which Pythia had laid down were finished within twelve years; and since this was so, Hercules, freed at last from his slavery, returned to Thebes with great joy.

The Centaur Nessus (Fabulae Faciles 54)

  1. 279

    Afterwards Hercules accomplished many other famous deeds, which it would take long to write out now.

  2. 280

    At last, now advanced in age, he took Deianira, the daughter of Oeneus, in marriage; but after three years it happened that he killed by accident a certain boy whose name was Eunomus.

  3. 281

    And since it was the custom that if anyone had killed a man by accident he should go into exile, Hercules made haste to go out of the territory of that state with his wife.

  4. 282

    While they were making their journey, however, they reached a certain river over which there was no bridge; and while they were asking in what way they were to cross the river, the centaur Nessus ran up, and offered the travelers his help.

  5. 283

    Hercules therefore set his wife on the back of Nessus; then he himself swam across the river.

  6. 284

    But Nessus, having gone forward a little into the water, was suddenly turning back to the bank and trying to carry Deianira off.

  7. 285

    When Hercules had noticed this, seriously moved by anger he drew his bow and pierced the breast of Nessus with an arrow.

perscrībere
report, from perscribo
prōvectus
praetor
Oeneī
of Oeneus, father of Deianira, from Oeneius

The Poisoned Robe (Fabulae Faciles 55)

  1. 286

    Nessus, then, pierced by the arrow of Hercules, lay dying on the ground; but so as not to let slip the chance of avenging himself, he spoke thus: "You, Deianira, hear the words of a dying man.

  2. 287

    If you wish to keep your husband's love, take this blood which is now pouring out of my breast and store it away; then, if he ever comes under suspicion with you, you will steep your husband's garment in this blood." Having spoken thus, Nessus breathed out his life; and Deianira, suspecting no harm, did as she was told.

  3. 288

    A little later Hercules undertook a war against Eurytus, king of Oechalia; and when he had killed the king himself together with his sons, he brought back with him his daughter Iole as a captive.

  4. 289

    Before he came home, however, he put in with his ship at the promontory of Cenaeum, and having gone out onto the land he set up an altar, in order to sacrifice to Jupiter.

  5. 290

    While he was preparing the sacrifice, however, he sent his companion Lichas home, to bring back a white garment; for it was the custom among the ancients to wear a white garment while they made sacrifices.

  6. 291

    But Deianira, fearing that Hercules felt love for Iole, steeped the garment in the blood of Nessus before she gave it to Lichas.

suspīciōnem
suspicion, from suspicio
efflāvit
blow or breathe out, from efflo
prōmunturium
promontory, headland

The Death of Hercules (Fabulae Faciles 56)

  1. 292

    Hercules, suspecting no harm, at once put on the garment which Lichas had brought; a little later, however, he felt a pain through all his limbs, and wondered greatly what the cause of this was.

  2. 293

    Almost dead with the pain, he tried to pull off the garment; it stuck, however, to his body, and could in no way be torn away.

  3. 294

    Then at last Hercules, driven as if by madness, betook himself to Mount Oeta, and placed himself on a pyre, which he built with the greatest speed.

  4. 295

    When he had done this, he begged those who were standing around to set fire to the pyre as quickly as possible.

  5. 296

    For a long time they all refused; at last, however, a certain shepherd, moved to pity, put fire under it.

  6. 297

    Then, while everything was being darkened by the smoke, Hercules, veiled in a thick cloud, was carried off by Jupiter into Olympus.

abscindī
tear, from abscindo
Octam
Oeta, the mountain
rogum
funeral pyre
circumstābant
stand, surround, from circumsto
succenderent
set on fire, from succendo
subdidit
place under, apply, from subdo
obscūrantur
darken, obscure, from obscuro
vēlātus
veil, cover, from velo

The particulars

The course
Paine and Mainwaring, Prīmus Annus (Oxford, 1912) and Secundus Annus (1917); Appleton and Jones, Puer Rōmānus (1913); D'Ooge, Latin for Beginners (Boston, 1911); Ritchie, Fabulae Faciles (1903). Public domain. The teaching pages, the glosses and the narration are ours.
Reading aloud
Digital narration, directed by 1732 Studios.
The app
The course on your phone, with the drills, your place kept and the audio offline.
App StoreGoogle Play
The book
The Aeneid, the work this course leads to, free to read here.
Data
JSON · Markdown · A guide for agents
Two whoopie pies and a pine. An inside joke.