Cerberus

Cerberus was in Greek and Roman mythology, is a multi-headed (usually three-headed) dog, or
hellhound which guards the gates of the Underworld, to prevent those who have crossed the river
Styx from ever escaping. Capturing Cerberus, without using weapons, was the final labour
assigned to Heracles (Hercules) by King Eurystheus, in recompense for the killing of his own
children by Megara after he was driven insane by Hera, and therefore was the most dangerous
and difficult.

After having been given the task, Heracles went to Eleusis to be initiated in the Eleusinian
Mysteries so he could learn how to enter and exit the underworld alive, and in passing absolve
himself for killing centaurs. He found the entrance to the underworld at Tanaerum, and Athena
and Hermes helped him to traverse the entrance in each direction. He passed Charon with Hestia's
assistance and his own heavy and fierce frowning.

Whilst in the underworld, Heracles met Theseus and Pirithous. The two companions had been
imprisoned by Hades for attempting to kidnap Persephone. One tradition tells of snakes coiling
around their legs then turning into stone; another tells that Hades feigned hospitality and prepared
a feast inviting them to sit. They unknowingly sat in chairs of forgetfulness and were
permanently ensnared. When Heracles had pulled Theseus first from his chair, some of his thigh
stuck to it (this explains the supposedly lean thighs of Athenians), but the earth shook at the
attempt to liberate Pirithous, whose desire to have the wife of a god for himself was so insulting,
he was doomed to stay behind.

Heracles found Hades and asked permission to bring Cerberus to the surface, to which Hades
agreed if Heracles could overpower the beast without using weapons. Heracles was able to
overpower Cerberus and proceeded to sling the beast over his back, dragging it out of the
underworld through a cavern entrance in the Peloponnese and bringing it to Eurystheus. The king
was so frightened of the beast, he jumped into a pithos, and asked Heracles to return it to the
underworld in return for releasing him from his labours.

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