HERACLES 529
Heracles Shows Cerberus to Eurystheus. Etruscan hydria from Caere, ca. 530 B.C.; height 17 in.
The terrified Eurystheus leaps into a storage jar to escape from the Hound of Hades, which
bares its three sets of teeth while its snakes furiously hiss at him. Heracles, with club and
lionskin, strides forward confidently, guiding Cerberus with a leash. The humor in this
splendid vase is remarkable. (Musée du Louvre, Paris. Reunion des Musées Nationaux.)
Underworld he wrestled with Cerberus, brought him back to Eurystheus, and
then returned him to Hades.
In Hades, Heracles saw Theseus and Pirithous, chained fast because of their
attempt to carry off Persephone. He was able to release Theseus, who out of
gratitude sheltered him after his madness and the murder of Megara. He also
saw the ghost of Meleager, whose sister, if he still had one living, he offered to
marry. Meleager named Deianira, "upon whose neck was still the green of youth,
nor did she know yet of the ways of Aphrodite, charmer of men" (Bacchylides,
Epinician Ode 5. 172-175). Thus the train of events was set in motion that led
eventually to the death of Heracles.
In conclusion we translate a chorus from Euripides' Heracles, which tells of
the great hero's Labors. This choral ode also reveals the nature of our sources