Cerberus in the ancient sources

Ancient Sources / Figures / Cerberus

6 passages from 6 ancient authors that tell of Cerberus, in the original with English translation, author by author in the order the Greeks read them. Cerberus, the three-headed hound of Hades, let the dead enter but never leave. See his monstrous family, portrayal, and defeat in Heracles' twelfth labor. For the story in one place, read our article on Cerberus.

Hesiod (1)

Hesiod, Theogony 305–334Echidna's offspring: Cerberus, the Hydra, the Chimaera and the Sphinx (305-334)Typhaon is joined in love to Echidna, and their offspring are Orthus, Cerberus, the Hydra and the Chimaera. The Hydra is nourished by Hera and killed by Heracles with Iolaus's help, and the Chimaera is killed by Pegasus and Bellerophon. Echidna and Orthus bear the Sphinx and the Nemean lion, which Hera rears, and the section ends with Ceto and Phorcys's youngest child, the serpent that guards the golden apples.

Apollodorus (1)

Apollodorus, The Library (Bibliotheca), with the Epitome 2.5.11–12The Labours of Heracles (11-12): the Golden Apples and CerberusBecause the hydra and the stables are not counted, two more labours are added. For the golden apples of the Hesperides Heracles seizes Nereus to learn the way, defeats Antaeus and Busiris, frees Prometheus from the eagle, and gets the apples by tricking Atlas into taking the sky back. He is initiated at Eleusis, goes down to Hades by Taenarum, raises Theseus (but not Pirithous), wrestles Menoetes, and carries Cerberus up to Eurystheus and back.

Aristophanes (1)

Aristophanes, Frogs 464–502Episode: Aeacus takes Dionysus for Heracles; the change of clothesAeacus takes Dionysus in his lion's skin for Heracles, who stole Cerberus, and threatens him with the hell-hounds, the Asp, the Lamprey and the Gorgons. Dionysus faints and asks for a sponge for his heart, and then proposes that they change clothes so that Xanthias takes the club and lion's skin. A maid then welcomes the supposed Heracles.

Diodorus Siculus (1)

Diodorus Siculus, Library of History, Books 4 to 6 (the Greek myths) 4.25.1–4.27.5Heracles: Hades, Orpheus and the HesperidesHeracles is initiated at Athens in the Eleusinian Mysteries, and the historian digresses briefly on Orpheus. Heracles then descends to Hades, where Persephone welcomes him, and brings back Cerberus. For the last labour, the golden apples of the Hesperides, writers disagree about whether the prize was apples or golden-coloured sheep; the section also gives the story of Atlas and the Atlantides, whom Heracles rescues from pirates sent by Busiris, and Atlas's teaching him astronomy.

Ovid (1)

Ovid, Metamorphoses 4.396–562The Minyades become bats; Athamas and InoThe daughters of Minyas, who have scorned Dionysus (Bacchus), find their looms turning to vines and ivy, and they are changed into bats. Hera (Juno), angry at the honour done to Semele's sister Ino, goes down to the Underworld and sends the Fury Tisiphone to the house of Athamas, who goes mad and kills his son Learchus. Ino leaps from a cliff with her other son Melicertes, and Aphrodite (Venus) asks Poseidon (Neptune) to make them sea-gods, and Ino's Theban companions are changed into rocks and birds.

Quintus Smyrnaeus (1)

Quintus Smyrnaeus, The Fall of Troy (Posthomerica) 6.200–334The shield of EurypylusEurypylus puts on his armour, and on his shield are shown the labours of Hercules, from the serpents in the cradle to Cerberus and the Centaurs. He tells Paris that victory lies with the gods. The Trojans rejoice, and he chooses his captains.