The Labours of Heracles in Russian Art, in the Writings of Chroniclers, Russian Scientists and Enlighteners (10th – 19th centuries)

Abstract

The article shows the image of Heracles – the greatest hero of ancient Greece – in early Russian art, as well as in the writings of chroniclers, scholars and enlighteners of the 10–19th centuries. It is established that throughout the history of Ancient Rus and then of Russia, Hercules was perceived with an exceptionally positive side, despite the pagan roots of his image. Condemnation occasionally was the fact of his deification by the Greeks and Romans. The image of Heracles was positively adopted by the Orthodox Church, which relied on the Byzantine doctrine, where Heracles was also viewed as a charitable fighter of monsters and a defender of people from evil. As a result or research it was revealed that Heracles had exceptional popularity in Russian art and literature, where he performed in a classical Hellenistic manner. He remained the standard of physical strength, human power and at the same time – a model of nobility, the ruler of the twelve great labours. The article contains materials from the author's monograph with the working title «Twelve of Labours of Heracles in ancient literature and numismatics».