The 2015 Labour of Hercules: The 9th Labour

”Black birds tend to like Shiny Things.” ~ The Bloody Raven

I’m taking a late page out @thekittygirl and @silversaver888 ‘s Germania Mint conspiracy posts and present my Gal(s) with a kick arse weapon. I don’t have the entire set of the 12 Labors, I just picked the ones I like best, and just this very one.

I won’t get deep into Greek mythology as we already are aware how dysfunctional these Greek gods were and in a way cursed with typical human faults, frailties and weaknesses in contrast to their supernatural powers.

Hippolyta

Reverse: Hippolyta facing right holding a Spear. IX Mintage: Silver – 7,052, Copper – 5,741Fine Silver 0.999, 31.1g

Hippolyta is known as the Queen of the Amazons. The Girdle gives her the Authority as Queen but also imbued with magical powers. What exactly those powers are, no one knows for sure. Perhaps that scroll got lost. The Girdle was a gift to Hippolyta from Ares, the God of War.

As the legend goes, Hercules is in the midst of doing penance for his crime of murdering his family in a fit of madness, a madness caused by his Step mother and goddess Hera to rebuke her husband Zeus in his cheating ways, recover the Girdle for King Eurystheus’s spoiled daughter.

Bilge Rats! What a soap opera.

Hercules

Hercules Facing left wearing the Nemean Lion on his head39mm DiameterBrand: Provident Metals

Arriving at the city of Themiskyra, Hercules behaved like a gentleman met with Hippolyta and convinced her to give him the Girdle. Queen Hera didn’t want to let Hercules off easy, disguised herself as an Amazon and convinced the other Amazons that Hercules planned to capture their Queen Hippolyta and they attacked the men.

The Queen was killed in the battle, different accounts claim Hippolyta’s death was accidental, others claim Hercules killed her. Another totally different story had her killed when crashing a wedding!

Whatever the cause, Hercules fought off the Amazons, secured the Girdle, and got out of ~~Dodge~~ the city of Themiskyra and sailed back to King Eurystheus with his prize.

I think this round has pretty cool design with Hippolyta wearing the Girdle, and holding her spear in a vigilant stance. The Protector of Themiskyra.

Most portrayals of Hippolyta, including modern day ones, have the Amazon Queen bearing a sword rather than a spear. Also Amazons were reputed to be highly skilled Archers, hence to their reputation of having their right breast removed as not to get in the way of the draw. So Spears tend not to be the Primary weapon of an Amazon as they are more relegated to Guard duty or to holding an opponent at bay.

My SHINWA Sojutsu spear is modeled after the Japanese Yari short Spear with the total length of 60 inches. The 14” tip is 1040 Damascus steel in 2096 layers for toughness. Definitely much simpler to learn and use than a Katana. It is among the first weapons taught to common Ashigaru conscript foot soldiers.

My Opinion of Provident Metals Labour of Hercules: The 9th Labour - Girdle of Hippolyta!