Hercules, with help from Hermes and Athena, steals Cerberus from Hades Our hero has three remaining labors before he is freed from his servitude to King Eurystheus (and, by extension, Hera). If you missed Part 1, with the preceding labors of Hercules, you can read it here . Hercules fights the Giant Geryon, Mosaic Floor, 26 CE, National Archeological Museum of Spain, Madrid This task on which King Eurystheus sends Hercules is yet another suicide mission. As well, it's another adventure in...

Hercules serves as the slave of Queen Omphale, mosaic pavement, 26 CE, National Archeological Museum of Spain, Madrid (discussed in next part, but pretty nice for a banner) I cannot think of any other Ancient Greek character more of a draw for trouble than Hercules. Beside Hercules, Odysseus is a slacker; Theseus and Perseus--choirboys. In the many stories where he is the hero, he is mortal (though a demigod--one of the earliest Marvel Universe-style heroes in Greece perhaps), but he...

Crucifix of King Ferdinand & Queen Sancha, circa 1063, Ivory and Jet, Madrid Archeological Museum The final scenes in Christ's life (chronologically and cosmologically) reveal his excruciating transformation from human sacrifice to redeemer and ruling god in heaven. Above is the first carved crucifix made in Spain. A crucifix differs from a cross in that it depicts Christ's body nailed upon the cross. So, it is more explicit than symbolic. This crucifix is Romanesque, and in that style, the...