The Twelve Labours

In a fit of madness, induced by Hera, Heracles slew his wife, children, and brother's children and as penance as told to him by the Delphic Sibyl, he was required to carry out ten tasks set by his arch-enemy, Eurystheus (who had become King in his stead). Herakles successfully carried them all out, but Eurystheus was told by Hera to deem that two of the tasks had been failed due to Herakles being helped, and allocated two more, which Herakles also completed, making 12.

The traditional order of the labours is:

1. The Nemean Lion.
2. The Lernaean Hydra.
3. The Ceryneian Hind.
4. The Erymanthian Boar.
5. The Augean stables.
6. The Stymphalian Birds.
7. The Cretan Bull.
8. The Mares of Diomedes.
9. The Girdle of Hippolyte.
10. The Cattle of Geryon.
11. The Apples of the Hesperides.
12. Cerberus.

According to Jerome's Chronicon, Herakles completed his Twelve labours in 1246 BC.