# The Pillars of Hercules: Mythical Gateway to the Atlantic
The Pillars of Hercules stand as one of the most enduring symbols of ancient mythology and geography. They were thought to be the monumental gateways that marked the end of the Mediterranean Sea and the beginning of the Atlantic Ocean, serving as a border between the known world and the vast, unexplored territories that lay beyond.
## Origins of the Myth
### The Greek Legend
The legend of the Pillars of Hercules finds its roots in Greek mythology. According to legend, these natural gateways were originally a single mountain that was split asunder by Hercules during his famous Twelve Labors. This act was performed during the tenth labor, which involved obtaining the cattle of the monster Geryon, a task that took Hercules all the way to the edge of the known world.
### Adaptations and Interpretations
As with many ancient myths, the story of the Pillars of Hercules was adapted and modified over time, with Roman mythology incorporating the legend into its own narratives. Indeed, the famed Roman poet Seneca wrote about Hercules’s presence in the area in his work “Hercules Furens.”
## Geographic Location
The Pillars of Hercules are traditionally identified with two promontories on either side of the Strait of Gibraltar. To the north stands the Rock of Gibraltar in the British overseas territory of Gibraltar. To the south lies the Jebel Musa in Morocco, Africa. These two mountainous landmarks have stood as the gateway to the Atlantic through the narrow strait for millennia.
### Strategic Importance
Throughout history, the Pillars of Hercules have held immense strategic significance due to their control over access to the Mediterranean Sea. Military and trading vessels depended on this route for the passage between the Atlantic and the Mediterranean.
## The Pillars in Ancient Cartography
### Markers of the Known World
In ancient times, maps often depicted the Pillars of Hercules as the westernmost boundary of the known world. The phrase “Non Plus Ultra,” meaning “Nothing Further Beyond,” was associated with the Pillars, warning sailors and navigators of the dangers that lay past the perceived edge of the earth.
### Beyond the Pillars
The Pillars of Hercules also represented the edge of exploration and knowledge. To pass beyond them was to enter a realm of mystery and the unknown. It was the entrance to what the Greek called the “Ocean,” a vast and mysterious expanse that was hardly understood and scarcely explored.
## Cultural and Symbolic Significance
### Symbols of Strength and Endurance
The Pillars of Hercules have become a symbol of strength and endurance, representing Hercules’s legendary might. They have also come to denote the boundary between the familiar and the unknown, as well as the limit of human exploration and ambition.
### Modern Usage
The imagery of the Pillars is still used today in various emblems and insignias, including the flag of Spain, where they are depicted alongside the motto “Plus Ultra,” which flips the ancient warning on its head to encourage discovery and progress beyond the traditional limits.
## Legacy and Influence
### Exploration and Discovery
The Pillars played a significant role in the Age of Discovery, when explorers such as Christopher Columbus set out to find new routes to the East and, in doing so, inadvertently discovered the Americas.
### Influence on Philosophy
The philosophical implications of the Pillars have also been significant. They symbolize the human quest for knowledge and the spirit of exploration that transcends physical and metaphysical boundaries.
## FAQ
### Q: What are the Pillars of Hercules exactly?
A: The Pillars of Hercules are promontories that flank the entrance to the Strait of Gibraltar. They are traditionally identified as the Rock of Gibraltar and Jebel Musa in Morocco.
### Q: Did the Pillars of Hercules really exist?
A: The Pillars are based on real geographic locations, although the mythological aspects surrounding them are part of ancient Greek and Roman legends.
### Q: Why were the Pillars of Hercules important in ancient times?
A: They marked the westernmost limit of the known world and served as a warning of the dangers of sailing into the largely uncharted Atlantic Ocean.
### Q: Do the Pillars of Hercules still hold significance today?
A: While their literal significance as gateways to unexplored territories no longer applies, the Pillars continue to symbolize human curiosity, strength, and the spirit of adventure.
### Q: How did the Pillars influence the Age of Discovery?
A: The Pillars were both a navigational landmark and a symbol of the threshold between known and unknown worlds, inspiring explorers to venture beyond into the Atlantic during the Age of Discovery.