HERACLES drew Theseus from his enchanted seat, but when he laid hold of Pirithous the earth shook so violently that even the mighty hero’s grasp was loosened; Pirithous had been the one who dared aspire to Persephone’s hand.

But now Hades himself stood barring the way, and when he refused to let Cerberus be taken to the land of the living, Heracles wounded the god with an arrow dipped in hydra-poison. Immortal Hades for the first time tasted pain, and agreed that Heracles could borrow Cerberus if he could take him without weapons. Heracles laid aside his bow, and with his hero’s strength, and protected by his lion-skin, captured the hound of the Underworld.

The next time Eurystheus saw his cousin, Heracles was depositing the slavering Cerberus in front of him. The king dived for his wine jar a beaten man, promising to set no more labours if only the dog were taken away. So Heracles carried Cerberus back to Hades, his years of servitude behind him.