The Twelve Triumphs

The idea of twelve triumphs - emphasizing the achievement of several challenging goals - is inspired in part by the Greek myth of the Twelve Labors of Hercules. The challenges set forth for Hercules were:

1. Slay the Nemean lion

   1. Slay the Leraean Hydra

   2. Capture the Ceryneian Hind

   3. Capture the Erymanthian Boar

   4. Clean the Augean stables

   5. Slay the Stymphalian birds

   6. Capture the Cretan Bull

   7. Obtain the Mares of Diomedes

   8. Obtain the girdle of Hippolyta, queen of the Amazons

   9. Obtain the cattle of the giant Geryon

   10. Obtain the golden apples of the Hesperides

   11. Capture Cerberus, guardian of the gates of the Underworld

Like many myths from ancient cultures, the stories contain some descriptions of brutality. However, they also demonstrate persistence and ingenuity when humans are confronted by extraordinary challenges. This is the aspect that we could adopt into the frame of experimental physics. And while the anatomical strength of Hercules plays a role in the stories, Athena's guidance enables Hercules to use knowledge and cleverness to come up with the workarounds needed to perform seemingly impossible tasks.