Labors of Hercules (3)

Hercules was no longer obligated to Eurystheus at the conclusion of the tenth labor. However, according to the King, did not count because he had taken the assistance of his nephew Iolaus and payment for cleaning of the Augean stables.

In the 11th task, Hercules was asked to steal 3 golden apples from the garden of Hesperides, which belonged to Hera and was guarded by the nymphs and a dragon named Ladon. Hercules came upon the Titan Atlas, who was carrying the sky on his journey. In exchange for bearing his weight and temporarily freeing him from his curse, Hercules convinced Atlas to bring him the apples. Because he was the nymphs' father, Atlas had easier access to the garden. But when Atlas came back with the apples, he volunteered to bring them himself and refused to return to the heavens. Hercules conned Atlas into restraining the weight and ran away with the apples.

The three-headed dog known as Cerberus manned the entrances to the underworld. The last task assigned to Hercules is to capture this dog. Hercules decided to approach Hades for permission to borrow the monster dog rather than try to steal it. Hades consented if the hero could capture and control the dog without the aid of any weapons, and without harming it. Cerberus was subdued by Hercules using only his hands before being slung over his back. He then brought it back to Eurystheus.