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Hesperides

In Greek mythology, the Hesperides are nymphs who live in the Arcadian Mountains[?] in Greece, or near the Atlas mountains. Either way, they are said to live in a beautifully tended garden. This garden is the source of the golden apples that Gaia gave to Hera on her wedding day. The tree is guarded by a hundred-headed dragon named Ladon. Only one hero ever managed to get any apples: Heracles. He tricked Atlas, the Hesperides' father, into getting the apples for him as part of one of his Twelve Labors.

There were four Hesperides: Aegle ("dazzling light"), Arethusa, Erytheia, and Hesperia. They are sometimes also called the African Sisters.

They are variously daughters of Phorcys or Nyx or Atlas and Hesperia.



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