In an inaccessible spot, along the African coast, near the Atlas mountains in Morocco is a beautiful garden that is tended by nymphs. The nymphs are called Hesperides. In this garden grow magic, golden apples that can grant immortality. These apples are guarded by a dragon named Ladon.
The garden was a gift from Gaia to Hera. Hera placed the nymphs in the garden to tend it.
Hercules was given the task of stealing apples from the Garden as his 11th Labor.
Picture of the Hesperides who tend the Garden. Connection to the Lightning Thief
Luke refers to a field trip he and other half-bloods took to the Garden of Hesperides. He refers vaguely to something he did there that caused the trip to "go sour" (102). Maybe he tried to take an apple!
In an inaccessible spot, along the African coast, near the Atlas mountains in Morocco is a beautiful garden that is tended by nymphs. The nymphs are called Hesperides. In this garden grow magic, golden apples that can grant immortality. These apples are guarded by a dragon named Ladon.
The garden was a gift from Gaia to Hera. Hera placed the nymphs in the garden to tend it.
Hercules was given the task of stealing apples from the Garden as his 11th Labor.
Connection to the Lightning Thief
Luke refers to a field trip he and other half-bloods took to the Garden of Hesperides. He refers vaguely to something he did there that caused the trip to "go sour" (102). Maybe he tried to take an apple!
SOURCES
Information
Appendix to the Handbook of Marvel Comics. Aug. 29 2010. http://www.marvunapp.com/Appendix3 /hesperides.htm
"Hesperides" Wikipedia. 30 Aug. 2010. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garden_of_Hesperides>
Riordan, Rick. The Lightning Thief. New York: Hyperion Books, 2006.
Rouse, WHD. Gods, Heroes, and Men of Ancient Greece. New York: New American Library, 2001.
Image
Leighton, Frederick Lord. "Garden of the Hesperides." 1892. Aspect Art. http://www.google.com /imgres?imgurl=http://www.aspectart.com/.