Hercules the Giant-Killer Gigantomachy vs Hercules Labors Hercules killed Alcyoneus either when the hero was returning from his 10th Labor for Eurystheus (the kinsman of Hercules who was also king and task master for the 12 Labors) (Pindar, Nemean Ode 4) or during the Gigantomachy. The Gigantomachy was the follow-up (or doublet) battle to the Titanomachy, fought between the gods of Mt. Olympus and their supporters on the one side and the giant children of Gaia on the other. In the first version of the giganticide, Hercules kills Alcyoneus with his bow after the giant destroys 12 of Hercules (probably his 1st Trojan War party s) four-horse chariots and the men in them. In the second -- the Gigantomachy version, Hercules kills Alcyoneus in battle. The gods had been fighting the giants. Since both were immortal, this wasnt easy and epic battles have to go on and on. Inverting the customary idea of omnipotent gods and frail mortals, the Olympians could not kill their equivalent opponents without the help of one or two lesser beings. As you may be aware, some of the male gods, especially Zeus, spent a good deal of time philandering and so had fathered a host of children. Two of these were the sons of Alcmene and Semele. Hercules (and Dionysus) come to their fathers (and aunts and uncles) aid. Hercules tries in vain to kill Alcyoneus. He fails until Athena gives him a hint: Alcyoneus can not die in the land of his birth; he needs to be taken beyond the borders of Pallene. After dragging him away, Hercules has no further trouble. He kills Alcyoneus.
Posted on: Sun, 09 Nov 2014 03:40:24 +0000
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