arrow_upward
Pattern Pattern Pattern

Showing 55 entries for tag: Twelve Labours of Heracles

Pattern Pattern Pattern

Jetdogs Studios , Zoom Out Games

12 Labours of Hercules

The first 12 labours of Hercules game begins by introducing the main characters, Hercules and Megara, who live happily together with their servants. However, Hades abducts Megara, causing Hercules to set out to search for and rescue her. With the help of characters such as Medusa, Cerberus and Chiron, whom he rescues along the way, he fights the Hydra, saves Prometheus from his golden chains and rescues Megara from the Underworld.The second game begins in Thebes with Hercules having the idea of (...)

electronic

YEAR: 2015

COUNTRY: Online


Cath Senker

Ancient Greeks

Ancient Greeks is an educational, introduction to ancient Greek culture aimed at children aged 7+. This title is one of several titles in the Ladybird Histories series, including Kings and Queens, Tudor and Stuarts, Ancient Egyptians, The Vikings, Romans, and Anglo-Saxons. Each is written in a similarly serious tone. Through the combination of titles, the series presents the Ancient Greeks as an important non-British historical society. Ancient Greeks focuses on the Classical period, w(...)

literary

YEAR: 2015

COUNTRY: United Kingdom


Gerald Vinestock, G. William

Crib and the Labours of Hercules

Crib (short for Christabel) is a 10-year-old clever and tomboyish girl, who has gone with her parents to visit relatives in Greece. While she stays with her uncle and aunt and looks after their horses, she hears on the news that strange phenomena are occurring: all the fierce monsters whom the legendary Hercules had vanquished eons ago, have suddenly returned to life and are hurting the local people. The government is desperate for a new Hercules to save the day. Crib’s uncle, Jonathan, a (...)

literary

YEAR: 2017

COUNTRY: United Kingdom


Kate McMullan , Denis Zilber

Get to Work, Hercules! (Myth-O-Mania, 7)

This is the seventh book in the Myth-O-Mania series, which offer alternative versions of the Greek myths, narrated by Hades. Hades, who is a self-professed shy and serious god, promises to tell the whole truth about the Greek myth; he claims that his brother Zeus, is a myth-o-maniac (that is, a liar) and that he fabricated the myths and wrote his version so that he and his children will appear noble and praiseworthy. Hades’ versions offer the “true” story of the myths.In this b(...)

literary

YEAR: 2012

COUNTRY: United Kingdom United States of America


Heather Amery, Linda Edwards

Greek Myths for Young Children

This is a highly illustrated volume of myths retold for children. Contents:About the Greek MythsThe Gift of FirePandora's BoxPersephone and the SeasonsThe Story of ArachneThe Many Tasks of Heracles (Intro, plus 12 Labours)Echo and NarcissusDaedalus and IcarusBellerophon and the Flying HorseJason and the Golden Fleece (Intro, Argo Sets Sail, The Harpies, The Clashing Rocks, Fire-Breathing Bulls and Dragon's Teeth, The Golden Fleece).King MidasThe Adventures of Perseus (Intro, Medusa,(...)

literary

YEAR: 2000

COUNTRY: United Kingdom


George O'Connor

Hera. The Goddess and her Glory (Olympians, 3)

Hera begins with a recap of the triumph of Zeus and the other Olympians over Kronos (from Zeus. King of the Gods). New aspects of the battle are shown, including Hera's participation in the fighting and her ability to command Zeus haughtily to assist her when she does not wish to put her full effort in ("Honestly, I almost broke a nail", she complains). Aspects of Zeus' seduction of Hera, seen in Athena. Grey-Eyed Goddess, are shown with Hera's perspective now supplementing(...)

literary

YEAR: 2011

COUNTRY: United States of America


Ron (Ronald) Clements, Alan Menken, John Musker, David Zippel

Hercules

Hercules tells the story of a young, incredibly strong man who learns that Zeus is his father. To get back to Olympus, he has to prove himself by finding out what it means to be a true hero, eventually by defeating Hades, the main villain of the story, who is bent on taking over the world. Although it is based on the Greek myth, it promotes mainly typically American, rather than ancient, values.(...)

audiovisual

YEAR: 1997

COUNTRY: United States of America


Geraldine McCaughrean

Hercules

The book narrates the life of Hercules, from his early youth to his tragic death and following deification (or rather becoming a constellation). Due to the subject matter and the mentions of murder and tragic deaths the book is more suitable for older children. (...)

literary

YEAR: 2003

COUNTRY: United Kingdom


Edouard Cour

Hercules (Series, Book 1–3) [Héraklès, série, Tome 1–3]

On the back cover of all three volumes, the author quotes the alleged reply of the Oracle of Delphi to Alcides of Argolis: "Alcides, son of Zeus, King of the Olympian Gods, everybody will have now to call you Herakles, because you’ll be the Glory of Hera, Zeus’ spouse. In her name, you will live and prove the value of a God. You will be victorious in the trials of Eurystheus, King of Mycenae. Then, you’ll become immortal and Olympus will be your home."The three v(...)

literary

YEAR: 2012

COUNTRY: France Philippines


Józef Ciembroniewicz

Hercules: Fights Between the Olympian Gods. A Story for Young People [Herkules: walki olimpijskich bogów. Opowieść dla młodzieży]

Based on: Katarzyna Marciniak, Elżbieta Olechowska, Joanna Kłos, Michał Kucharski (eds.), Polish Literature for Children & Young Adults Inspired by Classical Antiquity: A Catalogue, Faculty of “Artes Liberales”, Warsaw: University of Warsaw, 2013, 444 pp.This is an adaptation of Hercules’ myth covering the most important related stories. Among them are Hera’s dislike of Hercules and the story explaining why the Twelve Labours were imposed on the hero. In the first sto(...)

literary

YEAR: 1919

COUNTRY: Poland


Georges Moroz

Hercules: The Complete Myths of a Legendary Hero

The book narrates the life of Hercules from his birth, his madness, the twelve labours, his war campaigns (the war against Troy, for example) and finally his death and apotheosis. The book is in novel form.(...)

literary

YEAR: 1997

COUNTRY: United States of America


Sam Raimi, Robert Tapert, Christian Williams

Hercules: The Legendary Journeys (Series, S00 – Season Zero)

Title of the Works: Hercules: the Legendary Journeys – Hercules and the Amazon WomenHercules: the Legendary Journeys – Hercules and the Lost KingdomHercules: the Legendary Journeys – Hercules and the Circle of FireHercules: the Legendary Journeys – Hercules in the UnderworldHercules: the Legendary Journeys – Hercules in the Maze of the MinotaurThe Hercules: The Legendary Journeys franchise, starring Kevin Sorbo in the titular role, is b(...)

audiovisual

YEAR: 1994

COUNTRY: New Zealand United States of America


Sam Raimi, Robert Tapert, Christian Williams

Hercules: The Legendary Journeys (Series, S00E01): Hercules and the Amazon Women

The narrative of Hercules and the Amazon Women is loosely based on Hercules’ labour to get the belt of the Amazon Queen Hippolyta. The film opens with Hercules and his companion Iolaus walking through the woods where they encounter a young girl who then transforms into the Hydra. In adherence with general mythological tradition, the pair defeat the beast by using fire to burn the stumps of the monster’s head(s), preventing new ones from sprouting. Once the Hydra is slain, a peac(...)

audiovisual

YEAR: 1994

COUNTRY: New Zealand United States of America


Sam Raimi, Robert Tapert, Christian Williams

Hercules: The Legendary Journeys (Series, S00E04): Hercules in the Underworld

This narrative is based loosely on a combination of several known mythological tales: the rape of Deianeira by Nessus, the labour of Hercules capturing Cerberus in the underworld, the death of Hercules and Orpheus’ catabasis. The film begins in an undisclosed village where the ground opens up to create an eerie fissure from out of which a strange green light and mist emerge, destroying all who come into contact with it. Meanwhile, in Hercules’ own village, the hero is forced out of &(...)

audiovisual

YEAR: 1994

COUNTRY: New Zealand United States of America


Mark Hess, Kathryn Lasky

Hercules: The Man, the Myth, the Hero

This of Hercules begins with his birth as "Palaemon" and Hera's initial attempt on his life by sending the two serpents to his cradle. After accidentally killing his teacher, Palaemon's mother sends him away. Although he thinks of himself as a monster, Palaemon goes on to make quite a name for himself as a strong warrior, not a monster, and was very happy until Hera tricks him into killing his family. This is when he becomes "Hercules", Hera's glory, and is sent t(...)

literary

YEAR: 1997

COUNTRY: United States of America


Steve Kurth , Barbara Schulz, Paul D. Storrie

Hercules: The Twelve Labors

This is a graphic novel retelling of the myth of Hercules from his youth to after the labours. It includes glossary, index and further reading. There are only 4 panels devoted to Hercules’ youth and then we are told that as a grown man Hercules was told by the oracle of Delphi (which was manipulated by Hera) to serve King Eurystheus. Unsurprisingly, there is no mention of the murders he committed, this being a children’s story. All the 12 labours are then portrayed and we also meet p(...)

literary

YEAR: 2007

COUNTRY: United States of America


The Hercules Project , Emma Stafford

Hercules’ Twelve Labours Today

This webpage concerns a family-friendly exhibition, organised by the University of Leeds-based Hercules Project as part of the University’s 2019 public engagement "Be Curious" festival. The exhibition presented representations of the Labours of Hercules in ancient and postclassical art, culminating in recent appropriations of the hero as a coloniser and a world leader. After looking at how others have depicted Hercules, visitors were invited to become creators of their own recept(...)

ephemeral

YEAR: 2019

COUNTRY: Ireland United Kingdom


Tom Kindley

Heroes of the Night Sky. The Greek Myths Behind the Constellations

This is a collection of myths told for teenagers, with emphasis on stylised illustration, constellation name aetiologies, and some moral lessons. The myths included are:Ursa Major (The Great Bear)PegasusAndromedaHerculesLyre (The Lyre)Corona Borealis (Northern Crown)Orion and ScorpiusCorvus (The Crow)Centaurus (The Centaur)Ophiucus (The Serpent Bearer)(...)

literary

YEAR: 2016

COUNTRY: United Kingdom


Julia Bereciartu, Vita Murrow

High-Five to the Hero

High-Five to the Hero was written after the success of Murrow’s first published collection of subverted fairy tales, Power to the Princess, in which she addresses gendered stereotypes of femininity for young girls. Likewise, this book is collection of retold myths, fairy tales and folklore that subvert traditional representations of gender and sex, but here she disrupts traditional representations of masculinity. Murrow writes well known male literary characters, traditional champions of c(...)

literary

YEAR: 2019

COUNTRY: United Kingdom


Simona Bursi, Linda Cavallini, Susanna Davidson, Alex Frith , Anne Millard, Matteo Pincelli, Russell Punter, Lesley Sims , Louie Stowell

Illustrated Stories From the Greek Myths

Illustrated Stories From the Greek Myths is a highly illustrated collection of short stories for children or young teens.Contents:The Wooden Horse: Russell Punter (Author) and Matteo Pincelli (Illustrator),The Minotaur: Russell Punter (Author) and Linda Cavallini (Illustrator),Bellerophon and Pegasus: Susanna Davidson (Author) and Simona Bursi (Illustrator),The Twelve Tasks of Heracles: Alex Frith (Author) and Matteo Pincelli (Illustrator),Perseus and the Gorgon: Lesley Sims (Author) a(...)

literary

YEAR: 2011

COUNTRY: United Kingdom


Blair Drawson, Sheldon Oberman

Island of the Minotaur. Greek Myths of Ancient Crete

This is an interesting take on the myth of the Minotaur which places it within a wide context by telling a selection of myths that build up to the Minotaur's demise. This creates a multi-generational story which arcs from the days of Cronos until Phaedra's departure from Crete as the last queen of Knossos. The myths of Medea and Ariadne are told in contrast to each other. The work begins and ends with historicising interpretations of the myths, relating the myths' connections to Mino(...)

literary

YEAR: 2003

COUNTRY: Canada United Kingdom


Nicolas Duffaut, Hélène Montardre

Little Stories from Mythology [Petites histoires de la mythologie] (Series)

Five of the volumes of the series tell stories connected to Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey: The Beautiful Helen, Achilles the Warrior, In the Belly of the Trojan Horse, Odysseus and the Cyclops, The Monsters of the Odyssey; five describe Olympian gods: Zeus, King of the Gods, The Abduction of Persephone, Hephaistos and the Love of Aphrodite, Apollo, the Dolphin God*, and Hermes, the God of a Thousand Gifts; eight volumes feature demi-gods, heroes and their stories: Prometheus, th(...)

literary

YEAR: 2010

COUNTRY: France


Sandra Lawrence , Emma Trithart

Myths and Legends

Sandra Lawrence's Myths and Legends is relatively unusual amongst children's myth books in that it places more emphasis on comparative mythology than on story-telling. The book's five sections are arranged to stress features shared in common across myths, such as journeys, creation, trees, tricksters, and solar chariots. Some myths are told in summary form to demonstrate the story types that are being introduced (King Arthur: The Once and Future King and Theseus: The Highly-Strung He(...)

literary

YEAR: 2017

COUNTRY: United Kingdom


Alicja Wach-Brzezińska

Myths of the Greeks and Romans [Mity Greków i Rzymian]

Based on: Katarzyna Marciniak, Elżbieta Olechowska, Joanna Kłos, Michał Kucharski (eds.), Polish Literature for Children & Young Adults Inspired by Classical Antiquity: A Catalogue, Faculty of “Artes Liberales”, Warsaw: University of Warsaw, 2013, 444 pp. An anthology of ancient classical myths retold for older adolescents and related to the motif of love in all its manifestations: romantic, conjugal, brotherly, and as well as a passion for art, warfare, hunting, great wealt(...)

literary

YEAR: 2006

COUNTRY: Poland


Jimmy Palmiotti , Mark Texeira, Frank Tieri, Raul Trevino

New Labors of Hercules

This is a comic-book in which Hercules is the main protagonist in a Marvel universe occupied with other superheroes such as Captain America and the Avengers. This is the first volume in which we get to meet Hercules. In the Marvel universe Hercules is no longer the heroic figure of the past, but a drunken mess. The book opens with a scene of a baby crushing animatronic snakes and it emerges that the setting is a new TV series about the life of the Greek hero. The new series appears to be a (...)

literary

YEAR: 2005

COUNTRY: United States of America


George O'Connor

Olympians (Series)

Olympians is a series of graphic novels that takes one deity per volume as the focus, retelling numerous myths related to that god.Volume 1. Zeus. King of the Gods. Featuring creation myths and the war between the Titans and Olympians. Narrator unspecified.Volume 2. Athena. Grey-Eyed Goddess. Featuring the myth of Athena's conception and birth; Pallas; the attack of the Giants; Medusa and Perseus; Arachne. Narrated by the Moirae (The Fates). Volume 3. Hera. The Goddess and her Glory. Fe(...)

literary

YEAR: 2010

COUNTRY: United States of America


Thetis Authentics Ltd.

Pinax. Gods and Heroes [Πίναξ. Θεοί και Ήρωες (Pínaks. Theoí kai Īrōes)] (Series): Heracles [Ηρακλής (Īraklī́s)]

For a summary introduction to the series, please see the Pinax. Gods and Heroes. Athena [πίναξ. θεοί και Ηρωες. Αθηνά] entry in this database.This particular pinax shows Heracles fighting the Lernaean Hydra, a scene from the Twelve Labours. There is a cardboard mount that can be used to display the pieces once the scene has been assembled.(...)

electronic

YEAR: 2013

COUNTRY: Greece


Joan Holub, Leslie Patricelli

Play Nice, Hercules!

The main character, 'Hercules', is a pre-school-aged child in the modern era. His father tells him to 'Play nice', but he answers that he is 'not nice. [He] is strong'. Hercules knocks over a toy monster and scatters toy soldiers. He then knocks down blocks that his little sister is playing with. Hercules is remorseful about making his sister cry. He rebuilds the pyramid of blocks. An image then suggests that his sister is about to knock them over; the story ends with the(...)

literary

COUNTRY: United States of America


George O'Connor

Poseidon. Earth Shaker (Olympians, 5)

Poseidon. Earth Shaker has Poseidon himself as its narrator and it tells stories of the god’s offspring and of his contest to be the patron of Athens. As a first generation Olympian, Poseidon was part of the overthrow of Cronos, and the graphic novel opens with the brothers Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades looking down into the great chasm into which Cronos has been hurled. The division of the realms takes place, and "of course" (p. 4), Poseidon receives the seas as his domain. There ar(...)

literary

YEAR: 2013

COUNTRY: United States of America


Jim Whiting

Profiles in Greek and Roman Mythology: Hercules

This book narrates the various stories connected with Hercules: his birth, labours and other adventures, including his slavery at Omphale’s palace and the Trojan War. The book also include further information (titled F.Y.I. sections) about Zeus’ affairs, Hades, Sophocles, the Argonaut and a brief Greek history. The text is accompanied by various photos of museum artifacts and paintings as well as a map. At the end there are notes, further reading (including academic research) and an (...)

literary

YEAR: 2008

COUNTRY: United States of America


Eric Freeberg, Diane Namm

Roman Myths

Retelling of classic Roman myths meant for ages 7–9 with one illustration per story. Following the stories, the author includes questions for discussion about each story. The stories in the book:The Oak and the Linden TreePrometheus and IoAtlas and the Eleventh Labor of HerculesRomulus and RemusEscape from TroyThe Golden BoughCupid and PsycheMinerva and ArachneOedipus and the SphinxOtus and Ephialtes(...)

literary

YEAR: 2014

COUNTRY: United States of America


Christophe Blain, Joann Sfar

Socrates the Half-Dog (Series): Heracles [Socrate le demi-chien. Héraclès] | Odysseus [Ulysse] | Oedipus in Corinth [Œdipe à Corinthe]

A trilogy about a special super-hero, Socrates, the half-dog, half-philosopher, whose father was a dog belonging to Zeus and whose master was Heracles. Each of the volumes centres on a different mythological hero: the first on Heracles, the second on Ulysses, the third on Oedipus.Socrates’ powers make him similar to humans – he can think, talk, and even read, while claiming that his philosophy is based on doing nothing – eating when hungry, sleeping when sleepy, and following t(...)

literary

YEAR: 2002

COUNTRY: France


Marc Cerasini , Isidre Mones

Step Into Reading: The Twelve Labors of Hercules

This is an illustrated depiction of Hercules’ labours. The book opens with the infant Hercules and the snakes. Then we see Hercules as a young man who fights others and seeks counsel from the oracle. The book focuses on the 12 labours which also end the book. There is a depiction of each labour separately.(...)

literary

YEAR: 1997

COUNTRY: United States of America


Lisa Jane Gillespie , Emi Ordas

Sticker Greek Myths

Each 1 or 2-page section of Sticker Greek Myths presents a scene of figures within an ancient environment, accompanied by approximately fifty words of explanatory text. The child reader/viewer is invited to use stickers that are specific to that section to build-up the scene. The stickers typically feature clothing and accessories such as weapons and ropes, and scene-specific items such as Heracles' lion-skin cloak and the Chimera's heads.1. Mount Olympus: This section introduces th(...)

literary

YEAR: 2015

COUNTRY: United Kingdom


Aniela Orzechowska

Stories about Greek Demi-gods and Heroes [Opowiadania o półbogach i bohaterach greckich]

Based on: Katarzyna Marciniak, Elżbieta Olechowska, Joanna Kłos, Michał Kucharski (eds.), Polish Literature for Children & Young Adults Inspired by Classical Antiquity: A Catalogue, Faculty of “Artes Liberales”, Warsaw: University of Warsaw, 2013, 444 pp.Presentation of five most popular and significant ancient myths featuring Prometheus, Perseus, Heracles (Hercules)*, Theseus, and Jason. The structure and language of each short story is easily comprehensible and not too sophisti(...)

literary

YEAR: 1911

COUNTRY: Austro-Hungarian Empire Congress Poland Kingdom of Galicia and Lodomeria


Gary Baseman, John Harris

Strong Stuff: Herakles and his Labors

This is an irreverent retelling of Herakles’ labours, recounted in John Harris’ informal, contemporary prose and vividly illustrated by Gary Baseman’s loud, graphic paintings. The hero’s brawn is used as a literary metaphor: the cover credits Harris for his "fierce words" and Baseman for "powerful art". The Introduction, entitled "Our Story Begins", contextualises the time (Long, long ago) and place (Greece and far beyond), and briefly outlin(...)

literary

YEAR: 2005

COUNTRY: United States of America


William Terence Deary, Dave Smith, Michael Tickner

Terry Deary's Best Ever Greek Legends / Top Ten Greek Legends

This is a collection of humorous retellings of myths for children designed to introduce them to Greek mythology and to ancient culture more broadly. Many of the stories are told from unusual perspectives and they are delivered in a variety of literary forms and fonts.Contents:Introduction.Legend 1: Zeus. Hera's Tale. The myth of Io told with Hera narrating events from her perspective.Fantastic Facts 1: 10 Best Victims. Summaries of myths of: Semele, Aphrodite, Echo, Nemesis, Europa, Danae, T(...)

literary

YEAR: 1998

COUNTRY: United Kingdom


Estudio Haus , Blake Hoena

The 12 Labors of Hercules: A Graphic Retelling

This is a graphic novel retelling of the myth of Hercules. It opens with Hercules as a grown man, ordered to serve king Eurystheus, and it ends with Hercules being turned into a constellation of stars. In addition, the novel contains notes titled "ancient facts" and a glossary, a further reading section, websites and an index. The reason behind the labours is briefly stated at the beginning: "in her jealousy, Hera drove Hercules mad with rage. In his madness, Hercules (...)

literary

YEAR: 2015

COUNTRY: United States of America


Stanisław Srokowski

The Adventures of Heracles [Przygody Heraklesa]

Based on: Katarzyna Marciniak, Elżbieta Olechowska, Joanna Kłos, Michał Kucharski (eds.), Polish Literature for Children & Young Adults Inspired by Classical Antiquity: A Catalogue (accessed: June 11, 2021), Faculty of “Artes Liberales”, Warsaw: University of Warsaw, 2013, 444 pp.The book begins with Heracles’ birth, and then goes on about Alcmene tricking Hera into giving her son immortality and Heracles killing two snakes in his cradle. Raised among the shepherds, he beco(...)

literary

YEAR: 1996

COUNTRY: Poland


Robert Baxter, I. M. Richardson

The Adventures of Hercules

This is a picture book for an older audience. On each page we have a labour of Hercules with a water-color like illustration, thus we have a narration and illustrations of all 12 labours. The language is aimed at young adults rather than small children. The illustration are also not naïve but in a more adult style. The story follows Hercules from his infantry and the killing of the snakes, then we arrive at his adulthood (killing a lion, helping the king of Thebes, and killing his family) a(...)

literary

YEAR: 1983

COUNTRY: United States of America


Stephen Cartwright, Claudia Zeff

The Amazing Adventures of Hercules

This illustrated storybook is written with deliberately simple language for those learning to read. It belongs to a series that contains many examples of traditional myths and simplified versions of classic literature. The books tells the story of Hercules' youth and the famous Twelve Labours, divided into chapters as follows:Chapter 1. The Jealous Goddess. Chapter 2. The Tasks Begin. Chapter 3. A Stag and a Boar. Chapter 4. Rivers and Birds. Chapter 5. Bulls and Hor(...)

literary

YEAR: 1982

COUNTRY: United Kingdom


Stuart Hill, Sandra Lawrence

The Atlas of Heroes. A World of Heroes from Myth and Legend

This atlas is large in scale (at 28x34 cm) and sumptuously illustrated with hand-drawn maps decorated with numerous heroes associated with each location. The figures on the maps are numbered, and these correspond to a companion page which features summaries of each hero. The maps are double-framed within an introductory story communicated via text and illustration; a young girl discovers the atlas as part of a stash of items in an attic, and the atlas features notes added by her as she uncovers (...)

literary

YEAR: 2018

COUNTRY: United Kingdom


Tony Bradman , Tony Ross

The Orchard Book of Swords Sorcerers and Superheroes

Chapter 1. Voyage to the Edge of the World. The Story of Jason and the Golden Fleece.Chapter 2. The Magical Sword. The Story of King Arthur.Chapter 3. The Fabulous Genie. The Story of Aladdin and his Magical Lamp.Chapter 4. An Apple for Freedom. The Story of William Tell.Chapter 5. Superhero. The Story of Hercules and the Monstrous Cacus.Chapter 6. The Fantastic Voyage of Sinbad. The Story of Sinbad the Sailor and The Roc.Chapter 7. The Fearsome Dragon from the Lake. The Story of George and the (...)

literary

YEAR: 2003

COUNTRY: United Kingdom


Aleksei Simukov, Aleksandra Snezhko-Blotskaia

The Return from Olympus [Возвращение с Олимпа (Vozvrashchenie s Olimpa)]

Heracles in company of Zeus’ Eagle returns to Earth for one night. In the sanctuary, they see a statue of Heracles and black figure frescoes presenting his labours (“all twelve of them”). Looking at the frescoes Heracles and the Eagle retell some of the labours. The apples of Hesperides and the liberation of Prometheus are presented as short stories within the main plot. While reminiscing about the past, the heroes discuss whether Heracles acted by the will of the gods or (...)

audiovisual

YEAR: 1969

COUNTRY: Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR)


Robert (Bob) Blaisdell, Althea (Thea) Kliros

The Story of Hercules (in Easy-to-Read Type)

Hercules narrates his story, beginning with his birth as the mortal son of a god. He talks of how he was a child prodigy in warfare but failed at learning music. After killing the teacher that belittles him about failing at music, Hercules goes out into the world to learn what he can. After Hera challenges Zeus to prove Hercules is worthy of being immortal, Hercules jumps at the opportunity and completes twelve labours.  (...)

literary

YEAR: 1997

COUNTRY: United States of America


Rick Riordan

The Titan’s Curse (Percy Jackson & The Olympians, 3)

The third instalment of the Percy Jackson series begins with Percy, Annabeth and Thalia on a rescue mission. Sally Jackson drops the three off at a boarding school in Maine to collect two half-bloods of unknown parentage. During the mission, they discover that the head teacher is actually the Manticore. After being separated from Thalia, Annabeth and Grover, Percy fights the Manticore alone trying to defend the half-blood siblings. He is unsuccessful, and after being poisoned by the Manticore&rs(...)

literary

COUNTRY: United States of America


Piatro Vasiuchenka

The Twelve Labours of Heracles [Дванаццаць подзвігаў Геракла (Dvanatstsats' podzvigaŭ Herakla: raman-burlesk)]

The Belarusian author reveals Heracles as a teenager in his impulsive, naive and maximalist nature, yet endowed with extraordinary physical strength. His labours are a journey of self-discovery as his understanding of virtue and justice develop. The novel is divided into chapters corresponding to the Labours of Heracles and has additional prologue (Tripod of Apollo) and epilogue (Return to Delphi). The plot begins with the rebirth of Alcides (Heracles’s original name given him by his mothe(...)

literary

YEAR: 2013

COUNTRY: Belarus Russia


Nicolas Duffaut, Hélène Montardre

The Twelve Labours of Hercules [Les douze travaux d’Hercule]

Hercules drinks to excess at a feast and temporarily loses his reason. Without realizing what he is doing, he takes his bow and shoots his wife Megara and his three children, and then he falls asleep on the floor. When he wakes up, he is terrified and cannot understand what happened. Somebody explains that it was a madness sent by Hera as her revenge for Zeus’ infidelity with Alcmene, Hercules’ mother. The devastated Hercules travels to Delphi to seek advice from the Oracle. The answ(...)

literary

YEAR: 2011

COUNTRY: France


Marcia Dorothy Williams

The Twelve Tasks of Heracles & Arion and the Dolphins

The main body of this short book is taken up with the labours of Heracles. Williams starts off with his origins as the child of Alcmene and Zeus, and the jealousy of Zeus’s wife, Hera, at her husband’s infidelity. Williams tells how, having failed to kill the baby Heracles by sending snakes to his cot, she turns the adult Heracles mad so that he kills his many children by an unnamed wife. After his wife sends him away due to his actions, he consults with a priestess who tells him tha(...)

literary

YEAR: 2017

COUNTRY: United Kingdom


Colm Lawton , Simon Spence

Theseus

Theseus is part of a series of storybook myths aimed at very young readers. Each two-page spread combines a full-page illustration and a page of text. The text is presented in an informal style, in a Comic Sans-like font, while the illustrations present the characters as wide-eyed and childlike. The story begins with an introduction to Theseus, including the information that ion that he grew up without his father. We learn that Theseus eventually became strong enough to lift the rock that covere(...)

literary

YEAR: 2017

COUNTRY: United Kingdom


Anthony ("Tony") Robinson, Del Thorpe

Weird World of Wonders: Greeks

This work is a humorous introduction to the history and culture of ancient Greece. There is significant focus on classical Greece, although there is also some material on the career of Alexander the Great, followed by brief sections on the Hellenistic world and the coming of Rome. In keeping with book's title and the rest of the series of which it is a part, the representation of ancient culture focuses on things that appear eccentric, funny, cruel, or disgusting by modern Western standards.(...)

literary

YEAR: 2012

COUNTRY: United Kingdom


Kelsey Oseid

What We See in the Stars: An Illustrated Tour of the Night Sky

What We See in the Stars is an informative work which uses attractive illustrations and clear language to communicate about the science of space, the history of space science (including ancient science), and the mythology connected to that science. The work is explicit at the start about its mission to teach science and mythology. It begins by explaining that knowledge of the stars was initially important for agriculture and navigation, and that modern star-gazing is a way to connect with "(...)

literary

YEAR: 2017

COUNTRY: United Kingdom United States of America


John Dougherty , Georgien Overwater

Zeus Sorts It Out

Zeus Sorts It Out is a chapter-book with illustrations, the third in a series of stories about a boy named Alex who has accidentally summoned Zeus, king of the gods, into his life, through a classroom project. In Zeus Sorts It Out, Alex and his friend Charlie are being bullied by Eric Lees. When Eric puts Charlie’s head in the toilet, Charlie calls for help from Zeus. Zeus commandeers the boys’ toilets as his temple, demanding veneration and sacrifices from the boys, who try to persu(...)

literary

YEAR: 2011

COUNTRY: United Kingdom