Geryon

A triple-headed1 or triple-bodied2 giant, the king of Hesperia, who lived on the mythical island of Erytheia. He is the son of Chrysaor and Callirrhoe. Geryon possessed a fabulous herd of red oxen, which fed together with those of Hades, and which were guarded by the shepherd Eurytion and a two-headed dog named Orthrus.

Heracles, on the tenth of his Twelve Labors, killed all three and made off with the herds. See Cattle of Geryon.

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References

Notes

  1. Hesiod. Theogony, 270 ff.
  2. Aeschylus. Agamemnon.

Sources

  • Aken, Dr. A.R.A. van. (1961). Elseviers Mythologische Encyclopedie. Amsterdam: Elsevier.
  • Bartelink, Dr. G.J.M. (1988). Prisma van de mythologie. Utrecht: Het Spectrum.
  • Pseudo-Apollodorus. The Library ii, 5.10.