For exploits the whole world, for rest Evpatoria

In the VI century BC Greek colonization embraced Tauris (Tavrika), and on the coast of the Crimea began to emerge Greek cities-colonies. One of these colonies was Kerkinitida, on the site of which Evpatoria later appeared. Modern Crimean cities, which arose on the sites of ancient Greek settlements, not only adopted their names, but also, most often unfoundedly, announced their 2,500-year history. At the beginning of the XXI century, Yevpatoria joined this list, noting in 2003 the fictional “Day of the 2500th anniversary of Yevpatoria”.

By this date, a monument was discussed in the city, which would symbolize the foundation of the city and the connection between the past and the present. Evpatorian sculptor Alexei Egorovich Shmakov proposed to install a statue of the god of the seas Neptune, taking into account the place of the future monument on the embankment. However, the mayor Andrei Petrovich Danilenko, who held this post from 1998 to 2014, insisted on the figure of Hercules.

The decision was based on the urban legend that Hercules was treated by the local mud of Lake Moynaki, located within Evpatoria. According to local urban myth, Hercules performed feats throughout the Greek Oycumene, but to recuperate he came to Kerkinitida and used the curative silt mud of Lake Moynaki.

The inhabitants of the ancient Greek cities of Crimea really revered Hercules, calling their children by his name. In Chersonesos they played with the dolls of the girls Heracliodora and Heracleion, ran with wooden swords in their hands through the narrow streets of the boy Heracleida and Heraclitus. Archaeologists often find images of Hercules on the ruins of ancient dishes and frescoes in the crypts.

However, Evpatoria was luckier. On its territory, amazing stone bas-reliefs with the image of Hercules, resting from worries, were found. Sources mention several such finds, two of which, according to the established opinion of local historians, were found on the shore of Lake Moynaki. In the Evpatoria Museum of Local Lore, only one of these bas-reliefs is exhibited.

These findings became the basis for the installation in 2003 on the Evpatoria embankment of the monument to “resting Hercules” by the sculptor A. E. Shmakov. The bronze figure of Hercules, anatomically accurately reproduced, lies on the sea shore. The monument has a unique engineering solution: the figure rests on three pedestals located steps to the beach. From this moment, the joke advertising slogan of the resort city states: “For exploits – the whole world, for rest – Evpatoria!”

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Photo from WikiMapia.org, CC BY-SA 4. 0