The Labor of Hercules

The complete cycle of Hercules’ twelve labors surrounds a central panel depicting Hercules and Omphale portrayed with garments and attributes exchanged.

The panels of the labors are arranged counterclockwise and don’t respect the chronological order of the myth.

Beginning on the lower left:

a) the Nemean lion (1st labor),

b) the Lernean Hydra (2nd labor),

c) the Cretean bull (7th labor),

d) the apples of the Hesperides (11th labor),

e) the man-eating horses of Diomedes (8th labor),

f) the cattle of Geryon (10th labor),

g) the Augean stables (5th labor),

h) Cerberus (12th labor),

i) the Erymanthian boar (4th labor),

j) the belt of Hippolyte (9th labor),

k )the hind of Ceryneia (3rd labor),

l) the Stymphalian birds (6th labor)

 

Source: www.perseus.tufts.edu

 

 

Roman Mosaic

3rd century AD

From Liria, Valencia

Madrid, Museo Arqueológico National

 

Done