\paperw2700 \margr0\margl0 \plain \fs20 \f1 \cf7 In a last, desperate attempt to get the better of \b \cf15 \ATXht10811 Heracles\b0 \cf7 \ATXht0 , \b \cf15 \ATXht10520 Eurystheus
\b0 \cf7 \ATXht0 demanded that he capture \b \cf15 \ATXht10315 Cerberus\b0 \cf7 \ATXht0 . To perform this task, the hero had to descend into \b \cf15 \ATXht10800 Hades\b0 \cf7 \ATXht0 with the help of \b \cf15 \ATXht12 Hermes\b0 \cf7 \ATXht0 and \b \cf15 \ATXht6 Athena\b0 \cf7 \ATXht0 . After being initiated into the mysteries at \b \cf15 \ATXht10502 Eleusis\b0 \cf7 \ATXht0 , Heracles took the way leading down from Cape \b \cf15 \ATXht12000 Taenarum\b0 \cf7 \ATXht0 , in Laconia, and, reaching the \b \cf15 \ATXht12101 Underworld\b0 \cf7 \ATXht0 , freed\cf15 \b \ATXht12010 Theseus\b0 \cf7 \ATXht0 , who had had the temerity to try and abduct \b \cf15 \ATXht11617 Persephone\b0 \cf7 \ATXht0 . \b \cf15 \ATXht11627 Pluto\b0 \cf7 \ATXht0 gave him permission t
o carry off Cerberus on the condition that he overcome him without using weapons. So Heracles seized Cerberus by the neck and maintained his grip despite the wounds inflicted on him by the dog's tail, which ended in a sting like that of a scorpion. He to
ok the monster back to the surface, emerging from the Mouth of Hell situated at \b \cf15 \ATXht12018 Troezen\b0 \cf7 \ATXht0 , in Argolis. But when Eurystheus saw the infernal beast, he hid in his jar again, just as he had done when presented with the wi
ld boar of Erymanthus. Heracles, not knowing what to do with Cerberus, took the dog back to his master.
