Statue Hercules Killing The Eagle And Freeing Prometheus By Josef Lax, Hofburg Palace Royalty-Free Stock Photo

Pictured is a marble statue of Hercules killing the eagle and freeing Prometheus by Josef Lax, Hofburg Palace. For at least 30 years Prometheus had been bound to a pillar by Zeus. Every day an eagle would come and gnaw his liver. Prometheus, being a Titan could not die, so each night his liver would rejuvenate and he would suffer the same agony day after day. Hercules on his journey to complete the eleventh of his twelve labors, to obtain the Apples of Hesperides, passed by Prometheus and killed the eagle and freed him. In return, Prometheus advised Hercules not to pick the apples, but to send Atlas, who was Prometheus`s brother. Atlas was able to retrieve the apples for Hercules.