Heracles (1286-1226 BC), also known as Hercules, is a major figure in Greek mythology. The son of Zeus and a mortal named Alcmene, he became one of the greatest warriors ever, and carried out the legendary twelve Labors of Hercules. Heracles was a fierce demigod, and after he died, he joined the Gods in immortality due to his reputation as a great fighter.
History[]
The son of Zeus and a mortal woman, Heracles (called Hercules in Latin) was endowed with incredible strength. He strangled serpents in his cribs as a baby and killed a lion with his bare hands as youth. Unfortunately he had a terrible enemy in Hera, Zeus' wife in Olympus. She drove Heracles mad to the point that he killed his own children and those of his brother. After recovering his sanity he sought advice from the Oracle of Delphi for penance to resume a normal life. She instructed him to perform his famous twelve labors. These included killing beasts like the Nemean Lion (which he strangled) and the Hydra, capturing other beasts, and a variety of other quests. With the twelve labors complete, he was allowed to return to Thebes and remarry. Heracles died much later after being treacherously poisoned by a Centaur who had tried to abduct his wife. Upon his death he was removed to Olympus and endowed with immortality.