Acquiring Hippolyta's Belt

After receiving orders from Eurystheus to get the belt of Hippolyta, Hercules set off on a long boat journey to get to Themiscyra, the island of the Amazons. Once at the island, Hercules talked to Hippolyta, queen of the Amazonians, who agreed to hand over her belt willingly even though it was a gift from the god Ares. Hera, queen of the gods, could not let Hercules get through his journey so quickly, so she disguised herself as an Amazon woman and spread discontent among the minions of Hippolyta. Hera's new story was that the foreigners (Hercules), was going to kidnap the queen. Hippolyta's armies then marcher on Hercules, who in turn slew them all in defense and the belief that he had been betrayed. Herccules also killed Hippolyta and then took her belt.

Hercules' twelve labors

            Hercules, the ancient Greek hero we've known since our childhoods, was forsaken from birth. Juno, Zeus, king of the god's wife, was said to have one of the greatest angers of all the gods but that hatred especially shown true for Zeus' children of infidelity. Juno, although cruel to other children of Zeus, especially hated Hercules. The hero lived his life while encountering numerous trials of Juno but the true revenge started when Juno cast a spell of insanity upon Hercules during the night and he killed his entire family. Upon waking he found himself blood soaked and forsaken. Hercules, in order to appease the gods for having murdered his family was sentenced to serve Eurystheus and complete many tasks. This quest served as penance for Hercules and it was prophesied that if he completed the tasks, he would join the gods on Mount Olympus.
Labor 1- The first labor was to slay the great lion of Nemea. This lion was said to have impenetrable pelt and so Hercules choked it to death, then took its pelt as armor.
Labor 2- The second labor was to kill the Lernaean Hydra. The hydra was a type of snake with poisonous venom and had many heads. Eventually Hercules killed it and dipped the tips of his arrows in the venom.
Labor 3- The third labor was to capture the hind of Artemis, or stag. This labor was issued by Eurystheus who hoped to have Artemis get angry and flay Hercules but this failed when Hercules promised to return the stag and Artemis forgave him.
Labor 4- The fourth labor was to slay the Erymanthian boar. This labor was completed with advice from Chiron the centaur.
Labor 5- The fifth labor was to slay the Augean stables. This different type of task was expected to demoralize Hercules but in fact allowed Hercules' ingenious idea to complete the labor with ease.
Labor 6- The sixth labor was to rid the known world of the stymphalian birds. Hercules completed this by using his poison arrows.
Labor 7- The seventh labor was to rid Crete of the Cretan bull. Hercules captured the bull and released it in marathon.
Labor 8- The eighth labor was to capture the mares of Diomedes. Hercules captured the horses then fed Diomedes to them, as they had an unnatural taste for human flesh.
Labor 9- The ninth labor was to take the belt of Hippolyta. Hercules went to the queen of the amazonians and took her belt to return to Eurystheus.
Labor 10- The tenth labor was to bring the cattle of Geryon to Eurystheus and sacrifice them.
Labor 11- The eleventh labor was to retrieve the golden apples of the Hesperides. Hercules went on this quest and retrieved the apples with the help of Atlas.
Labor 12- The twelfth labor was to bring Cerberus the hound that protects Hades to the gate of Eurystheus' castle, where Eurystheus saw this and died out of fear.