twelve labors.
It was also the hardest.

Pluto, the god of the nether world, told Hercules he might carry
off the dog if he could take him without using club or spear--never
dreaming that the hero could perform such a difficult feat.

Hercules penetrated to the entrance of Pluto's gloomy regions, and,
putting forth his strength succeeded, not only in seizing Cerberus,
but also in carrying him to Eurystheus, and so brought the twelve
labors to an end, and was released from his servitude to his cruel
brother.

These exploits of strength and endurance do not by any means complete
the tale of the wonderful doings of the great Greek hero. He continued
his deeds of daring to the end of his life.

One of the last of his exploits was to kill the eagle that daily
devoured the liver of Prometheus, whose story is both curious and
interesting.

He is said to have been the great friend of mankind, and was chained
to a rock on Mount Caucasus because he stole fire from heaven and gave
it as a gift to the sons of man.

While in chains an eagle was sent by Jupiter daily to feed on
Prometheus's liver, which Jupiter made to grow again each night. From
this continuous torture he was released by Hercules, who slew the
eagle and burst asunder the bonds of this friend of man.

II

HERCULES IN THE NETHER WORLD

Theseus and Pirithous were two Athenians, who, after having been at
enmity for a long time at last became the very best of friends. They,
like Hercules, had passed their youth in doing doughty deeds for the
benefit of mankind, and their fame had spread abroad throughout the
land of Greece. This did not prevent them from forming a very foolish
project. They actually planned to go down to Hades and carry off
Pluto's wife, Proserpina, whom Pirithous himself wished to marry.

This rashness brought about their ruin, for they were seized by
Pluto and chained to a rock. All this Hercules, who was the friend
of Theseus, learnt while on one of his journeys, and he resolved to
rescue Theseus from his eternal punishment.

As for Pirithous, the prime mover in the attempted outrage, him
Hercules meant to leave to his fate.

Hercules had been warned to take a black dog to sacrifice to Hecate
and a cake to mollify Cerberus, as was usual; but he would not listen
to such tales and meant to force his way to Theseus. When he found
himself face to face with Cerberus he seized him, threw him down and
chained him with strong chains.