MYTHS AND HEROES
TURKEY
Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the Turkish Republic and its first President, stands as a towering
figure of the 20th Century. Among the great leaders of history, few have achieved so much in so short
period, transformed the life of a nation as decisively, and given such profound inspiration to the world at
large.
Emerging as a military hero at the Dardanelles in 1915, he became the charismatic leader of the Turkish
national liberation struggle in 1919. He blazed across the worldscene in the early 1920s as a triumphant
commander who crushed the invaders of his country. Following a series of impressive victories against all
odds, he led his nation to full independence. He put an end to the antiquated Ottoman dynasty whose tale
had lasted more than six centuries - and created the Republic of Turkey in 1923, establishing a new
government truly representative of the nation's will.
As President for 15 years, until his death in 1938, Atatürk introduced a broad range of swift and sweeping
reforms - in the political, social, legal, economic, and cultural spheres - virtually unparalleled in any other
country.
His achievements in Turkey are an enduring monument to Atatürk. Emerging nations admire him as a
pioneer of national liberation. The world honors his memory as a foremost peacemaker who upheld the
principles of humanism and the vision of a united humanity.Tributes have been offered to him through the
decades by such world statesmen as LloydGeorge, Churchill, Roosevelt, Nehru, de Gaulle, Adenauer,
Bourguiba, Nasser, Kennedy, and countless others. A White House statement, issued on the occasion of
"The AtatürkCentennial" in 1981, pays homage to him as "a great leader in times ofwar and peace". It is
fitting that there should be high praise for Atatürk, anextraordinary leader of modern times, who said in
1933: "I look to the world with an open heart full of pure feelings and friendship".
HERCULES The most dangerous labor of Hercules took place in Eregli.It was the 12th and final one.
Eurystheus ordered Hercules to go to the Underworld and kidnap the beast called Cerberus . Eurystheus
was sure Hercules would never succeed in this impossible task.The ancient Greeks believed that after a
person died, his or her spirit went to the Underworld which was the kingdom of Hades. Cerberus was a
beast that guarded the entrance to Hades and kept the living from entering the world of the dead.
According to Aploodorus Cerberus had three heads of wild dogs, a dragon or serpent for a tail, and heads
of snakes all over his back. In Laconia, through a deep, rocky cave, Hercules made his way down to the
Underworld. He asked Pluto for Cerberus and he replied that Hercules could take Cerberus with him, but
only if he beat the beast weaponless. He set off to find Cerberus and found him near the gates of Acheron.
Courageously, the hero threw his strong arms around the beast and wrestled Cerberus into submission.
Hercules brought him to Eurystheus. Unlike other monsters Cerberus was returned safely to Hades.
Hercules inflicted no lasting damage on Cerberus, except, of course, the wound to his pride!
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