Heracles
- aaruniabhishek
- Jun 23, 2023
- 2 min read
Updated: Jun 23, 2023
The story goes that Heracles or Hercules, a young man, found himself at an isolated fork in the road, where he sat to contemplate his future.
Uncertain about which path to take, he found himself confronted by two goddesses. One, a charming and alluring woman, was called Kakia, although she claimed that her friends call her “Happiness” (Eudaimonia).
She charged in front to ensure she spoke first, promising him her path was “easiest and pleasantest” and providing a shortcut to “Happiness.” She claimed he would avoid hardship and enjoy luxury beyond most men’s wildest dreams produced by the labor of others.
After hearing this, Hercules was approached by the second goddess, Aretê, a plain-dressed and humble woman, though naturally beautiful. To his surprise, she told him that her path would require hard work from him and it would be “long and difficult.”
The way Hercules chose would be dangerous beyond belief; he would be tested by many hardships, perhaps more than any man who had lived before, and have to endure significant loss and suffering. “Nothing that is good and admirable,” said Aretê, “is granted by the gods to men without some effort and application.” However, Hercules would have the opportunity to face each adversity with courage and self-discipline and to show wisdom and justice despite great danger. He would earn true Happiness by reflecting on his praiseworthy and honorable deeds.
Hercules, of course, chose the path of Aretê or “Virtue” and was not seduced by Kakia or “Vice.” He faced continual persecution from the goddess Hera and her minions. He was forced to undertake the legendary Twelve Labours, including slaying the Hydra and ultimately entering Hades, the Underworld itself, to capture Cerberus with his bare hands.
He died in extreme agony, poisoned by clothing soaked in the Hydra’s blood.
However, Zeus was so impressed by his greatness of soul that he elevated him to the status of a God in his own right.
Of course, the Stoics took this all as a metaphor for the good life: it’s better to face hardships, rise above them, and thereby excel than to embrace easy living and idleness and allow your soul to shrink and deteriorate.
It would therefore make sense if Socrates's retelling of “The Choice of Hercules” were part of the Memorabilia that inspired Zeno’s conversion to the life of a philosopher.
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