Our Herculean Tasks: Finding Wisdom in the 12 Labors

In this first installment of ‘Our Herculean Tasks,’ we explore how the hero Hercules defeated the Nemean lion, and what we might gain from the story.

“Hercules and the Lion of Nemea,” by Peter Paul Rubens. National Museum of Art of Romania. Public Domain

Hercules is one of the most popular characters in Greek mythology. His great strength and courage inspired the Western world. Yet he was a complex figure whose actions did not always make sense. In this series “Our Herculean Tasks,” we will explore Hercules’s 12 labors in search of wisdom for our modern times. 

Happy New Year! Many of us are hopeful about this new year and the good things it might bring. Some of us spend the new year thinking about our New Year’s resolutions. We seek to get rid of the bad habits from previous years so that we can live happier and healthier lives.