Heracles and the Apples of the Hesperides

The Story

One of the later Labours sent Heracles to obtain the golden apples of the Hesperides.

The apples grew in a distant garden associated with the far edges of the mythological world.

Finding the garden was itself difficult.

The garden was guarded by the Hesperides, nymphs associated with the far western reaches of the world, and by the dragon Ladon.

Ancient traditions did not tell the Labour in exactly the same way. In some accounts Heracles confronted and killed Ladon himself before taking the apples. In another important version, reflected in the story of Atlas, Heracles persuaded the Titan to obtain the apples for him.

The different versions preserve the same essential challenge: the apples were not ordinary fruit but guarded divine treasures located at the remote boundary of the known world.

In one important tradition Heracles sought the help of Atlas.

Atlas carried the heavens upon his shoulders.

Heracles offered to take the burden temporarily while Atlas went to obtain the apples.

Atlas returned with them.

But after experiencing freedom from his punishment, he was reluctant to take the heavens back.

Heracles used cunning.

He asked Atlas to hold the burden for only a moment while he adjusted his position.

Atlas agreed.

Heracles then took the apples and departed.

The episode combines strength with intelligence.

Even Heracles could not simply overpower every obstacle.

At the edge of the mythological world, he had to bargain with one of the Titans.