Post by kartadolofonos on Dec 16, 2007 14:00:32 GMT -5
The Pillars of Hercules is the ancient name given to the promontories that flank the entrance to the Strait of Gibraltar. They are Gibraltar in Europe and Monte Hacho in Ceuta in Africa. The Jebel Musa, west of Ceuta, in Morocco, is sometimes considered one of the Pillars.
Mythological significance
The Pillars of Hercules has its origin in Greek mythology as the Pillars of Heracles which is the indefinite name of the ancient Greek hero Hercules (Which is also the more famous name of the mythical hero).
There are also rumours from Plato's quotations that beyond the Pillars of Heracles lay the lost city of Atlantis.
When Hercules had to perform twelve labours, one of them was to fetch the Cattle of Geryon in Spain and bring it to Eurystheus. On his way to the island of Erytheia he had to cross the mountain that was once Atlas. Instead of climbing the great mountain, he cut corners and put his mind to work. He decided to use his great strength to smash through the colossal mountain that used to be a colossal giant. Hercules split it in half using his indestructible mace or club (Myths vary). By doing so, he connected the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea and formed the Strait of Gibraltar. One part of the split mountain is Gibraltar and the other is Monte Hacho. These two mountains taken together have since then been known as the Pillars of Hercules or Heracles.
Mythological significance
The Pillars of Hercules has its origin in Greek mythology as the Pillars of Heracles which is the indefinite name of the ancient Greek hero Hercules (Which is also the more famous name of the mythical hero).
There are also rumours from Plato's quotations that beyond the Pillars of Heracles lay the lost city of Atlantis.
When Hercules had to perform twelve labours, one of them was to fetch the Cattle of Geryon in Spain and bring it to Eurystheus. On his way to the island of Erytheia he had to cross the mountain that was once Atlas. Instead of climbing the great mountain, he cut corners and put his mind to work. He decided to use his great strength to smash through the colossal mountain that used to be a colossal giant. Hercules split it in half using his indestructible mace or club (Myths vary). By doing so, he connected the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea and formed the Strait of Gibraltar. One part of the split mountain is Gibraltar and the other is Monte Hacho. These two mountains taken together have since then been known as the Pillars of Hercules or Heracles.
