Geryon was a giant in Greek mythology who guarded a herd of red cattle on the island of Erytheia. He had three heads or three bodies and was slain by Hercules in the Labors of Hercules. Geryon was associated with a mythical land near the Hesperides, and Hercules had to overcome obstacles to deliver the cattle to Eurystheus. This labor displayed traits of a classical Greek hero.
In Greek mythology, Geryon was a giant who lived on the island of Erytheia. According to legend, he kept a herd of cattle that were distinguished by their red color, and guarded by a herdsman and a two-headed dog named Orthrus. Geryon has appeared in several Greek myths and legends, perhaps most famously in the Labors of Hercules, when Hercules had to steal his cattle. Unfortunately for Geryon, Hercules had to slay the giant in battle before he could carry off the coveted cattle.
Like many monsters in Greek mythology, Geryon’s appearance is a matter of debate. In some stories he simply has three heads, while in others he actually has three bodies, which gives him six arms to work with. It is generally agreed that he was the son of Chrysaor and Calirrhoe, and was at least unusually large, if not a full-blown giant. In most stories, he is depicted as a warrior and his battle with Hercules is often portrayed as quite heroic.
Stories about Geryon usually place him in a mythical land near the Hesperides, a group of nymphs who guard a paradise garden. This land is so far west that it is at the end of the world and is associated with various mythological figures, events and objects. Visitors to the region must generally use supernatural methods to reach it, although some Greeks believed that the house of Geryon was related to an actual location.
In the stories about the labors of Hercules, Hercules is sent to the island of Geryon in an attempt to steal cattle. To do so, Hercules is forced to fight the herdsman and the guard dog before finally being able to face Geryon himself. Finally, the giant is felled by a poisonous arrow which Hercules had dipped in the blood of the Hydra of Lerna in a previous adventure.
Once Hercules steals Geryon’s cattle, however, his troubles are far from over. As he takes them back to their destination, members of the pack are stolen and Hera puts obstacles such as raging rivers and flocks of flies in the way. Hercules must overcome these obstacles to deliver the cattle to Eurystheus, who finally decides to sacrifice them to Hera.
This tenth Hercules labor displayed many traits that made Hercules a classical Greek hero. He was able to travel to a region that could not be reached by mere mortals with the assistance of the Gods, and once there, he was able to defeat a fearsome monster. Hercules also refused to give in to the stress, successfully herding Geryon’s cattle home despite some major obstacles.
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