Characters
Heracles: Heracles was one of the Greatest Heroes in Greek Mythology . His parents were Zeus and Alcmene. (The Greek Gods of Mythology n.d) It was said that as an act of hatred in which Hera had for Heracles , she drove him mad, and caused him to slaughter his wife and kids. (The Greek Gods of Mythology n.d) As a result, his punishment was to complete the 12 labors given to the Greek Hero by his cousin Eurystheus. (The Greek Gods of Mythology n.d)
Athena : Athena was known as the goddess of wisdom, war, arts,justice and lastly skills. (Tuccinardi 1999) Her father was the mighty Zeus. (George 1998) It was stated also that Athena was born from the head of her father and was the only goddess that did not come from another woman. (George 1998)
Stymphalian birds : The Stymphalian birds were known to reside near lake Stymphalus. (Leadbetter 1999) Myth had it that their feathers were made out of metals and are extremely sharp. (Leadbetter 1999) Lastly they were a burden to the inhabitants in Arcadia because they destroyed not only the crops but as well as the fruit trees. (Leadbetter 1999)
(Labor)
The sixth labor that Heracles has to complete was to get rid of the Stymphalian birds.(Grimal 1996) The reason was because the birds became a burden as they not only ravaged the crops but also ate up most of the fruits. (Grimal 1996) During this labor Heracles was aided by the goddess Athena, as she provided him with a pair of bronze Krotala which were made by the Hephaistos. (Perseus project n.d) These were noise making instruments that were eventually used to scare the birds out of their haven, and killed by Heracles with ease.(Grimal 1996) Other Myths have portrayed the Stymphalian birds as large birds that devour human flesh.(Grimal 1996)
Referencing
>. [ 22 September 2011]
Grimal, P 1996, The Dictionary of Classical Mythology, , Blackwell Publishing , Oxford
Leadbetter,R 1999,The Stymphalian Birds, Available from: < http://www.pantheon.org/articles/s/stymphalian_birds.html> . [ 21 September 2011]
Perseus project n.d, The Stymphalian Birds, Available from: <http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/Herakles/birds.html [ 22 September 2011]
The Greek Gods of Mythology n.d , Heracles, Available from: < http://www.acsu.buffalo.edu/~baheintz/heroes.html >. [ 22 september 2011]
Tuccinardi ,R 1999 , Athena, Available from: < http://www.pantheon.org/articles/a/athena.html>. [ 22 September 2011]
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