by Christina Pomoni

Created on: September 13, 2008

According to Hesiod, Hesperides were the daughters of Night. Other historical sources mention that they were daughters of Zeus and Themis, or of Forky and Kito or even of the Atlases. Relative disagreement exists also for the number of Hesperides. Some ancient texts report that they were two, while others talk about three, four or even five Hesperides. However, the version of four Hesperides seems to be the prevailing one. Apollodoros the Athenian reports also the names of these nymphs: Aegle, Arethousa, Erytheia and Hestia.

Hesperides were responsible for protecting the Golden Apples. According to Ferekydis, the apple trees that produced the Golden Apples had been offered from Gaia to Zeus and Hera as a marital gift. Hera planted the trees at the garden of Gods, in the country of Atlas. Atlas was outside of the garden because he was punished from Zeus to hold the sky on his shoulders. However, as the daughters of Atlas were stealing the apples, Hera assigned their safety to Hesperides and to Ladonas, who was a dragon with hundred heads, son of Typhoon and Echidna.

Evrystheas assigned to Hercules to visit the garden of Hesperides and steal the Golden Apples for him. In his way to the garden, Hercules faced a lot of adventures. The most important was the release of Prometheus from the rock that Zeus had tied him up. Hercules released Prometheus and killed the eagle, that was eating Prometheus' liver every day thus putting an end to the martyrdom of the Titan. As an expression of gratitude, Prometheus escorted Hercules to the garden of Hesperides.

There are three versions of how Hercules managed to steal the Golden Apples. According to the prevailing version, Hercules agreed with Atlas to hold his burden for a while, until Atlas gets in the garden and brings the Apples. Although Atlas agreed, when he returned from the garden he denied delivering the Apples to Hercules saying that he would go to deliver them to Evrystheas leaving Hercules with the sky on his shoulders for ever. Using his smartness, Hercules made Atlas believe that he agreed, but he asked him to hold the sky for a while until Hercules makes a cushion for his head. Atlas accepted, but Hercules escaped taking with him the Golden Apples. The second version describes Hercules to entering the garden himself, murdering Ladonas and taking the Apples, while the third version says that Hesperides willingly delivered the Golden Apples to Hercules, after making Ladonas to fall asleep.

When Hercules arrived at Mycenae he delivered the Golden Apples to Evrystheas. Evrystheas gave the Apples back to Hercules as gift, but Hercules denied the offer. Instead, he delivered them to goddess Athena, who returned them to the garden of Hesperides, at their proper place.

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