Hesperides were nymphs, also known as ‘The African Sisters”. They were four sisters who were all daughters of Atlas. Hesperides symbolized the golden light of sunset. Hesperides were put to protect three golden apples in garden way North which belonged to Zeus and Hera. The golden apples were a wedding gift to them from Gaia the Mother-Earth. Hesperides also protected other treasures for them as well. The Hesperides had a way of making others dance their life away. Therefore, when someone would come for the apples the Hesperides would have them dance. Hera also had a dragon, Lagon, protect and guard the three apples. Hesperides and Lagon protected the apples very well and made Hera very happy.
However, Eurystheus had ordered 12 labours of Hercules during this time. Although they are cousins, Eurystheus tried to think of labours that Hercules could not complete. He also knew of the hatred that Hera had for him. Therefore, Eurystheus had every labour be against Hera in some way. On his 11th labour, Eurystheus ordered Hercules to steal the three golden apples from Hera.
This was not an easy assignment. First, the garden’s location was unknown to all but one – Nereus. Hercules had to track down Nereus who had the ability to change into any form or shape. Hercules had to use his strength to hang on to him until he told him how to get to where the apples were located.
Throughout Hercules quest for the garden of Hesperides he encountered many giants, kings, as well as other sorts. One important being Hercules meets is Prometheus. Prometheus was cursed to a rock by Zeus for mocking the gods. Everyday for over 30 years, an eagle would come eat away at Prometheus’s liver which would heal over night so that Prometheus would endure the same fate everyday of pain. Hercules waited with him one morning and then took care of the eagle so that it would never harm Prometheus again. Hercules did this without knowing of the information that Prometheus bestowed. Prometheus knew how to get passed the Hesperides and the dragon Lagon. It was to have Atlas go get it since Hesperides were his daughters they would listen to him.
Hercules then set out for Atlas. Atlas held up the world and sky everyday and at all times. Atlas did not like to do this either because it was so tiring for him. Hercules offered to ‘take the world off his shoulders’ literally if he would go retrieve the apples for Hercules. This was a great bargain for Atlas. He did it without any problem. When he came back, Hercules had to trick Atlas into taking back the world because Atlas no longer wanted to hold it up. However, Hercules received his apples.
Hercules quickly went back to Eurystheus to give him the apples. Eurystheus did not know what to do with the apples, since he did not intend Hercules to fulfill the task, so he told Hercules he could keep them. Hercules gave the apples to Athena who returned the apples to Hesperides. After all, the apples were set by law to never leave the garden.
However, Hera was so upset that the apples were taken, especially by someone she demised – Hercules, that she took it out on Hersperides (the nymphs). She had one of the sisters taken away from the garden for eternity. Therefore, only three of the sisters remained.