GERYON IN GREEK MYTHOLOGY
Geryon was a monstrous giant in Greek mythology; Geryon, famously, was the owner of some magnificent red coated cattle, cattle which were stolen by Heracles.
Geryon Son of Chrysaor
Geryon was the son of Chrysaor and the Oceanid Callirhoe. Chrysaor was the offspring of Medusa, born from the severed neck of the Gorgon, who some say went on to rule a large part of Iberia, and became wealthy through large deposits of gold and silver in his kingdom.
Geryon the GiantGeryon was a giant, but a giant who was often portrayed as having monstrous characteristics. Descriptions of Geryon vary; some tell of the giant being made up of three men joined at the waist, hence Geryon had six hands and six legs; some say that Geryon had but one set of legs, but three bodies from waist up; and some tell that Geryon had but one body, but three heads.
Additionally, some also said that Geryon had four wings upon his back. Geryon though was also depicted as being a warrior, adorned in helmets, armour, and carrying shields and spears. Hesiod would name Geryon as the most powerful of all mortal men. Geryon Not One But ThreeSome tell of how Geryon was actually the collective name for three sons of Chrysaor, who ruled separate areas of Iberia, and had at their command large armies, but the three sons of Chrysaor acted as one, hence the mythical description of one monstrous giant.
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Geryon Ruler of Erytheia
Geryon was said to rule over the island of Erytheia, the island of the Hesperides, at the westernmost point of the Mediterranean Sea. The island of Geryon is now often equated with Gades (Cadiz).
The Theft of Geryon's Cattle
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Geryon is of course famous in Greek mythology for the giant was encountered by Heracles as the demi-god undertook his tenth Labour. King Eurystheus having set the task of bringing back the sunset red coated cattle of Geryon back to Tiryns.
Heracles would land on the island of Geryon in the golden cup of Helios, but before he got close to the cattle of Geryon he was detected, for Geryon owned not just cattle but also a guard dog, the two headed brother of Cerberus, Orthus. |
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Orthus would fall beneath the club of Heracles, as did Eurytion, Geryon’s cattle herder, and soon Heracles was leading the cattle back to his vessel.
The Death of Geryon
Geryon though became aware of the theft of his cattle, and the giant set out in pursuit of Heracles. Geryon was said to have caught up to Heracles by the River Anthemus, but in most versions of the myth, rather than fight with Geryon, Heracles simply shot an arrow into one of Geryon’s heads, allowing the poison to kill the giant.
Some later writers also tell of how Hera was wounded by one of Heracles’ arrows, as the goddess came to assist Geryon.
Alternatively it is occasionally said that Heracles did indeed test his strength against that of Geryon, wrestling with the armoured giant, but although considered the strongest of mortal men, Geryon was easily overcome by Heracles, and would die when he was ripped into three.
After the death of Geryon, the giant’s cattle were easily driven on to the golden cup that had brought Heracles to Erytheia.
Some later writers also tell of how Hera was wounded by one of Heracles’ arrows, as the goddess came to assist Geryon.
Alternatively it is occasionally said that Heracles did indeed test his strength against that of Geryon, wrestling with the armoured giant, but although considered the strongest of mortal men, Geryon was easily overcome by Heracles, and would die when he was ripped into three.
After the death of Geryon, the giant’s cattle were easily driven on to the golden cup that had brought Heracles to Erytheia.
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