Cerberus

Pronunciation

Alternate Names

In HomerCerberus was called simply “the hound” (kyōn).^[5] Other sources called him “the hound of Hades.”

Titles and Epithets

The epithet trikranos“three-headed,” was sometimes used for Cerberus.

Appearance and Abilities

Ancient sources offered conflicting accounts of Cerberus’ appearance. According to Hesiodthe earliest author to give a description of him (in the eighth or seventh century BCE)Cerberus had fifty heads.^[6] Pindarwriting in the fifth century BCEgave Cerberus one hundred heads.^[7] Almost all later sourceshoweverlimited him to just three headswith snakes along his mane and backand a snake tail.^[8] One notable exception is the Roman poet Horace (65–8 BCE)who gave Cerberus a single head with three tonguesringed by one hundred snakes.^[9] 

John Tzetzesan eleventh-century CE Byzantine poet and scholarsought to reconcile these conflicting versions by giving Cerberus fifty heads—three of them dog headsand the rest heads of various other beasts.^[10] Cerberus was usually represented with only one bodybut according to the Athenian tragedian Euripides^[11] and the Roman poet Virgil,^[12] he had multiple bodies in addition to multiple heads.

Hadesthe god of the deadposted Cerberus at the gates of the Underworld. Rather than preventing people from coming inlike most guard dogsCerberus’ job was to ensure that nobody left. According to HesiodCerberus had “a cruel trick” to help him with this task: 

On those who go in he fawns with his tail and both his earsbut suffers them not to go out back againbut keeps watch and devours whomsoever he catches going out of the gates of strong Hades and awful Persephone.^[13]

In later sourcesCerberus’ abilities expanded beyond a mere taste for raw flesh: it was said that his eyes flashed fire,^[14] his jaws dripped venom,^[15] and his hearing was unparalleled.^[16]

Iconography

Cerberus was a popular subject for ancient artists from an early period. He is known to have appeared on the Throne of Amyclaea monument to the god Apollo constructed in the sixth century BCE.^[17]

Ancient artists depicted Cerberus with threetwoor even just one head (but never with more than three). He was also often shown with snakes growing out of his body or with a snake tail.^[18]

Family Tree

Heracles’ Twelfth Labor

Cerberus is best known through his connection with the myth of Heracles. As his twelfth and final labor for Eurystheusthe king of MycenaeHeracles was sent to fetch Cerberus from the Underworld. Like Heracles’ other laborsthis task was expected to be impossiblebut Heracles managed to accomplish it anyway.

Preparation and Descent to the Underworld

In his quest to capture CerberusHeracles received considerable assistance. According to many traditionshe prepared for his descent to the Underworld by becoming an initiate of the Eleusinian Mysteries,^[20] a cult of Demeter and Persephone that promised worshippers a privileged afterlife. Heracles’ initiation into these mysteries helped him pass through the Underworld unharmed.

In many accountsHeracles received further help from either Hermesthe messenger of the gods (but also the guide to the Underworld),^[21] Athena,^[22] or both Hermes and Athena.^[23] Hermes and Athena were also depicted in many artistic representations of Heracles’ Twelfth Labor. 

When he entered the UnderworldHeracles fought one of Hades’ henchmen (named either Menoetes^[24] or Menoetius^[25]) and freed Ascalaphus (who had once angered Demeter).^[26] He was also said to have encountered Theseus and Pirithoustwo companions who had been taken prisoner by Hades while trying to carry off his wife Persephone. In most traditionsHeracles was able to rescue Theseus but not Pirithous.^[27]

The Capture of Cerberus

There were different accounts of how Heracles ultimately captured Cerberus.

In the most familiar version of the mythHeracles presented himself before Hades and asked to “borrow” Cerberus. Hades agreedbut only if Heracles “mastered [Cerberus] without the use of the weapons which he carried.”^[28] The hero then wrestled the hound with the invulnerable skin of the Nemean Lion as protectionfinally managing to subdue and restrain him.

In artistic representationson the other handHeracles was often shown fighting Cerberus with a club or even a stone. In the Roman tragedy Hercules Mad by Seneca (first century BCE or first century CE)it is reported that the hero used his club to subdue Cerberus.^[29] 

There also seems to have been an early version of the myth in which Heracles needed to fight Hades for Cerberus.^[30] In one storyHades refused to let Heracles take Cerberus even after he had beaten him without weapons; justifiably angryHeracles shot Hades with an arrow.^[31] In other versionsit was PersephoneHades’ queenwho delivered Cerberus to him.^[32]

After capturing CerberusHeracles bound him in chains and dragged him out of the Underworld.

Leaving the Underworld

Now that Heracles had captured Cerberushe needed to bring him to King Eurystheus in Mycenae. This was no easy task: Cerberus did not leave the Underworld willingly. The ferocious guard dog raged as Heracles dragged himfor the first timeinto the light of day. According to some accountsCerberus vomited or foamed a toxic bile as he was brought into the world of the livingand from this bile grew the poisonous aconite plant.^[33] 

Before bringing Cerberus to EurystheusHeracles paraded the guard dog of death throughout Greece. After he had displayed the creature to EurystheusCerberus was returned to the Underworldwhere he reprised his old post as the infernal guard dog.

Orpheus

Heracles was one of only a few mortals who entered the Underworld alive and managed to come back; another was the musician Orpheus. After losing his wife Eurydice on their wedding dayOrpheus vowed to retrieve her from the clutches of death.

In contrast to HeraclesOrpheus invaded the Underworld not by brawn but by his musical talent; he played and sang so beautifully that he moved the infernal gods to grant him safe passage through the land of the dead. The Roman poet Virgil wrote thatupon hearing Orpheus’ music“Cerberus stood agape and his triple jaws forgot to bark.”^[34] ThusCerberus was once again subdued by an extraordinary mortal.