Hercules Killing the Stymphalian Birds

1500 Duerer Herkules im Kampf gegen die stymphalischen Voegel anagoria

Hercules Killing the Stymphalian Birds is one of the twelve labors performed by Hercules, a hero in Greek mythology. This labor tasked Hercules with eliminating the Stymphalian Birds, a group of man-eating birds with beaks of bronze, metallic feathers they could launch at their victims, and dung that was highly toxic. These birds were a menace to the town of Stymphalos, located in the Peloponnese region of Greece.

Labor's Background

The twelve labors of Hercules were penance for a crime Hercules was driven to commit by Hera, the queen of the gods, who was often at odds with Hercules. After killing his family in a fit of madness induced by Hera, Hercules sought purification and redemption. The Oracle of Delphi instructed him to serve King Eurystheus for twelve years, during which he was tasked with completing a series of nearly impossible tasks, known as the twelve labors.

The Sixth Labor: The Stymphalian Birds

The Stymphalian Birds were not only dangerous because of their physical attributes but also because they were numerous and had taken refuge in a swamp in Stymphalos, making them difficult to approach. The swamp was a dense, impenetrable marsh, rendering conventional hunting methods ineffective.

To accomplish this labor, Hercules first had to find a way to flush the birds out of their marshy hideout. He received help from Athena, the goddess of wisdom and war, who gave him a pair of bronze krotala (clappers) made by Hephaestus, the god of the forge. These were no ordinary clappers; their noise was so loud that when Hercules used them, the birds were frightened from their cover, allowing Hercules to shoot many of them with his arrows dipped in the lethal poison of the Lernaean Hydra, another of his conquests. Some myths suggest that Hercules did not kill all the birds but scared them away, never to return to Stymphalos.

Aftermath and Interpretation

The labor of killing the Stymphalian Birds is often interpreted as a symbol of humanity's struggle against nature's dangers and adversities. By overcoming them, Hercules not only brought safety to the region of Stymphalos but also demonstrated his ingenuity and resilience in facing seemingly insurmountable challenges.

Cultural Impact

The story of Hercules and the Stymphalian Birds has been depicted in various forms of art throughout history, including pottery, sculpture, and painting. It serves as a testament to the enduring legacy of Greek mythology and its capacity to inspire through tales of heroism and the triumph of good over evil.

See Also

• Labors of Hercules
• Greek Mythology
• Hera
• Athena
• Hephaestus