Cerberus, in Greek and Roman mythology, is a multi-headed hound

which guards the gates of Hades, to prevent those who have crossed the river
Styx from ever escaping.

The task of capturing Cerberus alive, without using weapons, was the
final labour assigned to Heracles by King Eurystheus, this being the most
dangerous and difficult.

After having been given the task, Heracles went to Eleusis to be

initiated in the Eleusinian Mysteries so that he could learn how to enter and
exit the underworld alive. He found the entrance to the underworld at
Tanaerum, and Athena and Hermes helped him to traverse the entrance in
each direction. He passed Charon with Hestia's assistance and his own heavy
and fierce frowning.

Heracles found Hades and asked permission to bring Cerberus to the

surface, which Hades agreed to if Heracles could overpower the beast
without using weapons. Heracles was able to overpower Cerberus and
proceeded to sling the beast over his back, dragging it out of the underworld
through a cavern entrance in the Peloponnese and bringing it to Eurystheus.

The king was so frightened of the beast that he jumped into a pithos,
and asked Heracles to return it to the underworld in return for releasing him
from his labours.