Heracles, one of the most famous Greco-Roman legendary heroes. Traditionally, Heracles was the son of Zeus and Alcmene. Suffering the vengeful persecution of Hera, Heracles faced continual challenges, the first of which was two serpents that she sends to kill him in his cradle.

Understanding the Context

He strangles them with his bare hands. Heracles – or Hercules as he has been more popularly known ever since the Roman times – was the greatest of all Greek heroes, “one who surpassed all men of whom memory from the beginning of time has brought down an account.” A half-god of superhuman strength and violent passions, Heracles was the epitome of bravery and masculinity in the ancient world and the most notable champion of ... Heracles, also known as Hercules in Greek texts, is one of the most recognised and famous of the divine heroes in Greek mythology. The son of Zeus and the mortal woman Alcmene, he was considered the greatest of the heroes, a symbol of masculinity, sire of a long line of royal clans and the champion of the Olympian order against terrible monsters.

Key Insights

Heracles was known for his extraordinary ... Heracles (or as he’s more commonly known by his Roman name, Hercules) is one of the mightiest heroes in Ancient Greece. Heracles survives in popular culture right into the modern age as the very symbol of superhuman strength – indeed, in the heyday of the traveling carnival it would be rare to find one whose resident strongman didn’t use the name “Hercules”. And while other Greek ... Heracles carrying his son Hyllus looks at the centaur Nessus, who is about to carry Deianira across the river on his back.

Final Thoughts

Antique fresco from Pompeii. Heracles (/ ˈhɛrəkliːz / ⓘ Ancient Greek: Ἡρακλῆς, lit. 'glory/fame of Hera '), born Alcaeus[2] (Ἀλκαῖος, Alkaios) or Alcides[3] (Ἀλκείδης, Alkeidēs), was a divine hero in Greek mythology, the son of Zeus [4 ...