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by Bandinelli (16th century) - Palazzo Vecchio, Florence |
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http://www.sculpturegallery.com |
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To accomplish the tenth labor, Hercules
was ordered to bring back to Greece the beautiful cattle in the
possession of Geryon on the distant island of Erythea in the
western ocean. He met with great difficulty in taking the cattle
from Geryon but there were even greater difficulties in herding
them back. One of those difficulties was his encounter with Cacus,
a fire breathing monster who lived on human flesh. Awakening
from deep sleep Hercules dscovered that four bulls and four heifers
were missing from the herd. The lowing of one of the heifers
led Hercules to the cave where Cacus was holding the cattle.
A fierce battle ensued with Cacus billowing clouds of smoke and
fire. Finally, with intense fury Hercules leapt on Cacus and
strangled him, ridding the area of the menacing monster and recovering
the stolen cattle. The statue, carved in 1534 stands in front of the Palazzo Vecchio in Florence close to the spot where Michelangelo's David had been placed thirty years before. For more information go here: The Twelve Labors of Hercules |
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