THE 12 LABOURS OF HERACLES (HERCULES)

[GoltziusFarneseHerc.jpg]   [HerculesGenga2.jpg]   [Hercules2Genga.jpg]

(Images from http://www.mlahanas.de/Greeks/Arts/HerculesFarnese.htm.)

Welcome to my Website on
My fascination with, and involvement in,
HARD, PHYSICAL / MANUAL LABOUR.

(Please note:  these pages are best viewed in 800x600 screen mode.)

I suppose growing up and living in a Patriarchal, "Macho" society one could expect to find that many boys / men would be fascinated with physical strength - and I was certainly no exception!!

I became interested in “muscles” at the age of about 5 when my dad used to do his exercises with “springs” and he used to let me look at his books and courses, including those by a South African “strong man” of those years, Tromp van Diggelen.

Physical strength has fascinated me for as long as I can remember.  I recall how fascinated I was by, amongst others, the stories from the Bible about Samson, the stories of the 12 Labours of Hercules and, from the "Comic books" available in those days (mid-to-late 1940s), the stories about Super-heroes like Captain Marvel and Superman.

Then, in 1949, at the age of 7, I saw some pictures in the Saturday Magazine section of the Cape Times, taken at the 1949 Mr. Universe competition: these guys with their bulging muscles were, to me, "mind-blowing".  After that, for many, many years for me, Body-building and Weight-lifting (and later Powerlifting) were the ultimate "sports".  (I must admit that even in those days I didn't think they should have been classified as "sports"!!).

What intrigued me in the case of Hercules, however, was not just the BRUTE PHYSICAL strength but also his "FITNESS" or "STAMINA" or "ENDURANCE" - which is another form of strength!!

Before I continue, I need to make some things quite clear:

  • I am not, have never been & never will be, a "natural sports person";
  • I am not, have never been & never will be, a naturally-strong person;
  • and I certainly was not blessed with anywhere near the physique of Hercules!!
Perhaps that might also help to help explain why I was so fascinated by great physiques, great fitness / stamina / endurance & great strength!!  Click on the NEXT button below to read what triggered my wanting to actually get involved in hard labour!!!



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