Herakles and the Cretan bull

Fragments from the fourth metope of the west frieze of the temple of Zeus Parian. In this representation Herakles combats the Cretan bull, driven mad by Poseidon, god of the sea. The artist opposed the outstretched body of the hero against that of the beast, creating a dynamic diagonal composition. The Cretan Bull was a bull that appeared in the myth of the Labours of Heracles, as well as the myth of the Minotaur, in Greek mythology. It was the creature that Pasiphae fell in love with, and became impregnated by, eventually giving birth to the Minotaur. During the Labours of Heracles, King Eurystheus sent Heracles to capture the Cretan Bull and bring it back. After a log fight, Heracles finally managed to capture the animal with his bare hands, and sent it back to Eurystheus.