Heracles— Greek Hero"The Strongman"

The Son of Zeus

Heracles was born to be the greatest hero. Zeus, disguised as her husband, seduced Alcmene of Thebes, and from this union came Heracles—whose very name means "Glory of Hera," though the goddess would become his greatest enemy. Hera, jealous of Zeus's infidelity, sent two serpents to kill the infant in his crib. The baby Heracles strangled them with his bare hands.

The Madness and the Labors

Grown to manhood, Heracles married Megara and had children. But Hera struck him with madness, and in his delirium he killed his own family. When sanity returned, the guilt was unbearable. The oracle at Delphi told him he must serve King Eurystheus of Mycenae and complete whatever tasks were set for him. These became the famous Twelve Labors.

The Twelve Labors

Each labor seemed impossible. He slew the invulnerable Nemean Lion (wearing its skin ever after) and the many-headed Hydra. He captured the Golden Hind of Artemis and the Erymanthian Boar. He cleaned the Augean Stables in a single day by diverting two rivers. He drove off the Stymphalian Birds, captured the Cretan Bull, and tamed the man-eating Mares of Diomedes. He obtained the girdle of Hippolyta, the cattle of Geryon, and the golden apples of the Hesperides. Finally, he descended to the underworld and brought back Cerberus himself—the only mortal ever to return from Hades with such a prize.

Beyond the Labors

Heracles' adventures extended far beyond the Twelve Labors. He joined the Argonauts on their quest for the Golden Fleece. He rescued Prometheus from his eternal torment. He wrestled Death himself to save Alcestis. He freed Theseus from the underworld. Wherever monsters threatened or injustice reigned, Heracles appeared.

Death and Apotheosis

Heracles' death came through treachery. His wife Deianira, fearing she had lost his love, gave him a robe smeared with what she believed was a love potion—actually the poisonous blood of the centaur Nessus. The pain was so terrible that Heracles built his own funeral pyre and ascended it. As the flames consumed his mortal part, his divine half rose to Olympus, where he was reconciled with Hera and married to the goddess Hebe.

The Hero's Legacy

Heracles represents the power of human will and strength to overcome any obstacle. The Romans worshipped him as Hercules, and he became a symbol of civilization triumphing over barbarism. His image appears throughout ancient art, and his labors remain among the most famous stories in world mythology.