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Herakles is best known as the hero of Greece. He was given 12 labors by Eurystheus, the king of Tiryns and Mycenae as punishment for killing his own wife and children. Now, each of these labors was supposed to be unachievable, and therefore he could never atone for his sins. He was forced to repay his debt even though it was Hera who drove him mad and thus caused the deaths of his family members. Athena aided Herakles many times during his labors. She gave him the krotala whistle to scare off the Stymphalian Birds, and she also carried the golden apples back to the Hesperides’ garden. However, there is only spotty evidence to suggest that she helped him out on his 11th labor. I am taking this unconfirmed element and working it into my own myth about Herakles’ heroic 11th labor.
Just a little bit more…there! She helped roll it squarely on top of Herakles’ shoulders. The world’s
strongest man did not look all that strong under such an enormous
weight. His knees were shaking and small sweat droplets were forming
under his brow.
I’d better help him out, Athena thought to herself. I can’t have him looking a fool when he drops the world on its head! But, maybe I won’t jump in yet. It is better to let him squirm for now. I don’t
want him becoming too dependent on me!
She reached around and rearranged
the folds in her peplos, and straightened the helmet on her head.
In fact, she seemed to busy herself with all manner of trivial tasks
as the great Herakles strained to keep his load from shifting. As
she stood back and watched him she couldn’t help but think of how they got themselves into such a preposterous situation. Or rather, she thought, how he got himself into it. I am just here and I’m
free to leave at any time.
This labor was a particularly tough one. Herakles had been sent by Eurystheus to fetch the golden apples that belonged to Zeus. Again, Eurystheus had tried to appoint a task he believed impossible to achieve. But, she had a feeling Herakles would prove him wrong once again. Of course, involving only one god in the situation would make the game play far too easy. These particular apples were not only guarded by a one hundred headed dragon named Ladon, but also by the daughters of Atlas, the Hesperides nymphs.
After many ordeals simply to find out who could retrieve these apples Herakles showed up to ask Atlas for help. He is the only person that the Hesperides will freely give the apples to. But, as in all things there must be a trade off. The only way Atlas would be able to go and retrieve the apples was if someone took over his job. So, here we are. And I think it is about time I helped the poor boy out.
“Come, come my Herakles. Is that weight becoming too much for you? Allow
your goddess to lend her hand. I will help you bear this burden.”
And so the two waited for Atlas to return. Herakles still strained underneath the load, but the goddess Athena stood there with all the grace and calm of one playing chess. Since she was an eternal goddess, and one of war nonetheless, it would take much more than the weight of the world to wear her down.
Eventually Atlas returned with the golden apples in hand. But, it was obvious that he was not going to easily give up his newfound freedom. He had Herakles pinned into doing his job, and as far as he cared it could stay that way. But, Herakles had the patron goddess of Wisdom on his side. He quickly thought of a ruse to switch their positions back to the way they were. He told Atlas that he would gladly bear his burden for him, but requested that he be given enough time to get a little padding between himself and his new burden. Atlas, seeing only the false promises eagerly agreed to take the load back for a few minutes while Herakles fetched his padding. And, of course he had to put the apples down in the process.
As soon as the apples were on the ground, and Atlas was back in place underneath the globe, Herakles took off at a sprint with his prize slung over his shoulders. He made off with the apples and there was nothing Atlas could do to stop him.
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Athena was the patron goddess of many heroes. Jason, Perseus, Odysseus, and Herakles are some of the more notable characters. She often plays a very masculine role in these encounters to offer physical aid or insightful advice. Here she is so much stronger than the strongest man alive that she can support the world without breaking a sweat. This shows that she must be a very powerful goddess indeed!
If you want to reference a summary of the text online, it can be found here..
(Apollodorus, Library and Epitome; ed. Sir James George Frazer)
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