Hercules and the underworld
Hercules, a son of Zeus, is regarded as a Greek hero. Trained by Chiron, Hercules became known for his superior strength and bravery. Hercules faced many obstacles, however. Since Hercules was the son of Zeus and a mortal woman, Zeus' wife Hera was extremely jealous. When he was a baby, she sent snakes to kill him in his crib, but Hercules strangled each of the serpents before they could harm him.
Hera constantly tormented Hercules throughout his life, though, and she eventually drove him mad, to the point where he killed his children. To atone for his crimes, he had to complete three tasks successfully. First, he had to defeat the Nemean Lion, then he had to kill the monstrous and multiple-headed Hydra, and then he had to bring the hellhound, Cerberus, who was Hades' three-headed dog, up from the Underworld ("Mythweb").
On Hercules journey to the Underworld, he encountered two problems. First, he had to get past Charon, the ferryman. In order to do this, Hercules had to pay a fare or bribe, and furthermore, he had to be dead. Hercules scowled so fiercely at Charon, however, that he ended up letting out a whimper and letting the hero across ("Mythweb").
Next, Hercules had to face Cerberus, the three-headed dog. Hercules tackled the dog and wrestled him, and after a difficult struggle, Hercules was able to get the dog by the throat and choke him until he gave up. He slung the dog over his shoulder and sent him away so he could achieve his final task ("Mythweb").
Next, Hercules had to face Cerberus, the three-headed dog. Hercules tackled the dog and wrestled him, and after a difficult struggle, Hercules was able to get the dog by the throat and choke him until he gave up. He slung the dog over his shoulder and sent him away so he could achieve his final task ("Mythweb").