Τhe Stymphalian Birds

Hercules had to drive an enormous flock of birds which gathered at a lake near the town of Stymphalos. He had to use the krotala (noisemaking clappers) to make the birds fly away from the trees and then used his bow and arrows to shoot them down.  In this task the arrows symbolize the person’s spiritual power and the krotala the wisdom and the knowledge.  A person needs to find his way towards his wise soul.

The Labours of Hercules

Find your hero!

My own personal hero is Hercules because he stands out among all others with his titanic physical and mental strength. Through his adventures that led to the successful completion of the labours , he taught me valuable life principles as the importance of modesty and purity of body and spirit, the mastering of one's impulsive drives, the persistence in one's goals and the continuous quest for truth. The labours of Hercules inspired me as a child and still continue to do so today in the maze of my daily life. When I walk in my busy city I " see " him standing at the crossroad pointing to me silently which way to go , prompting me to choose the right path , the one of goodness and virtue despite the difficulties ahead.

The collection " The Labours of Hercules" is inspired by The Nemean Lion, The Lernaean Hydra, The Ceryneian Hind, The Stables of Augeias, The Stymphalian Birds, The Girdle of Hippolyte and The Golden Apples of The Hesperides.