I'm not sure that Perseus' task could be called Herculean. By definition, a "herculean" task is one that requires great strength. Perseus' task, while daunting and certainly dangerous, didn't require any amount of strength to accomplish. He needed cunning and a strong wit, something Hercules seemed to lack.
As to your question "WHY"... the king of the land in which Perseus and his mother lived greatly desired to make Danae his wife. Perseus always prevented it. So, to be rid of him, Polydectes held a feast, and asked that all those attending offer up a horse as a gift, knowing that as a fisherman, Perseus would have none to give. Offering up an apology, Perseus offered to the king anything else his heart desired. Polydectes asked for the head of the mortal gorgon, Medusa, thinking that Perseus would never return.
Herculean |ˌhərkyəˈlēən; hərˈkyoōlēən|adjective requiring great strength or effort : a Herculean task.• (of a person) muscular and strong.ORIGIN late 16th cent. (in the sense [relating to Hercules] ): from LatinHerculeus 'Hercules' + -an .
Hercules is a figure in classical mythology. He was given the "Twelve Labours," which required 12 difficult tasks: slay the Nemean Lion, slay the nineheaded lemaean Hydra, capture the Erymanthian Boar, Clean the Augean stables in one day, and on and on. Many statues and painting portray the labors. So a Herculean task is labor intensive.
To kill the monstrous Medusa.
Ring of Calibos
Because he had to show King Polydectes that his task had been fulfilled.
Herculean task
herculean task for his brain cells :p
Parting with someone you really like is a herculean task.
A "herculean" task (after Hercules' 12 labors).
The body builder's muscles were so big that he must have Herculean strength. Sometimes going to work on a Monday can seem a Herculean task.
an effort off herculeasHercules was a mythological figure of great size and strength. A Herculean effort is to say that one is strong, vigorous and determined in their attempt to achieve a result, as in a Herculean task.
Herculean |ˌhərkyəˈlēən; hərˈkyoōlēən|adjective requiring great strength or effort : a Herculean task.• (of a person) muscular and strong.ORIGIN late 16th cent. (in the sense [relating to Hercules] ): from LatinHerculeus 'Hercules' + -an .
Hercules is a figure in classical mythology. He was given the "Twelve Labours," which required 12 difficult tasks: slay the Nemean Lion, slay the nineheaded lemaean Hydra, capture the Erymanthian Boar, Clean the Augean stables in one day, and on and on. Many statues and painting portray the labors. So a Herculean task is labor intensive.
Hercules is a famous Greek mythological character known for his superhuman powers of strength. He was supposedly the son of the god Zeus, and thus had abilities that normal humans did not have. At one point, Hercules was given a series of twelve horribly difficult tasks that he had to perform in order to atone for killing someone - a herculean task is one that would have been given to Hercules because it is such a huge job. An effort requiring more than usual strength or will power.
The right answer is... it is called a Herculean tasks because he commited very hard tasks that could kill himself and others.
The king was afraid of the power of Hercules. He sent him on very difficult errands and adventures. He thought that Hercules would be killed during these adventures, yet Hercules surmounted the terrible adventures. That is why a very difficult errand is termed as a Herculean task.
The allusion to Herculean effort refers to an exceptionally great and difficult task or undertaking. It originates from the myth of Hercules, who performed twelve extraordinary labors that required immense strength, skill, and determination. When someone mentions a Herculean effort, they are highlighting the monumental nature of the challenge being faced.