The Labors of Heracles

Episode 9: The Girdle Of Hyppolyta

After the manly battle for the Mares of Diomedes, this Labor seemed a bit peculiar. A girly Girdle? What did Eurystheus want with that? Was he getting soft?

Not if it belonged to the Queen of the Amazons. Use that sort of language and you were in for a stomping. The Amazons were descendants of Ares but without his softer side. And the Girdle in question was a magic belt donated by Ares — a decidedly unfeminine fashion accessory.

Heracles honed up his hatchet skills on the way, having bumped into fellow adventurer Theseus. With involvement in various conflicts en-route, he arrived at Thermodon with a boat full of companions.

Hippolyta actually came to greet him and thought for a mere man he was not too wimpy. He might even make good breeding material for daughters. So when he mentioned girdles, she offered him the Belt of Ares. Which was not quite what he was expecting.

Hera, still out to get him, was furious, and turned up in disguise. Spreading malicious rumors amongst the Amazons, she incited them to attack the ship and kill all the strangers. Heracles assumed all this was treachery planned by Hippolyta. So she got it in the neck first.

Herc took the Girdle and then had to decimate two more Amazon leaders before they desisted. The boat left in a hurry, taking Heracles into many other adventures. He was in no particular hurry to return to Eurystheus. When he finally did, he had many souvenirs and trophies to distribute amongst the Gods to win friends and enhance his reputation.

Incidentally, we don’t know if Eurystheus actually tried on the Girdle. He gave it to his daughter. Perhaps he felt it didn’t suit him.

Next Episode: The Cattle Of Geryon...