Hercules: Origins, Labors and Mythology

• Hercules is well-known in Greek and Roman mythology.
• He was renowned for both his strength and numerous adventures.

Hercules's Origins and Birth

• Hercules was the son of Zeus, king of the gods, and Alcmene, a mortal.
• Zeus disguised himself as Alcmene's husband, Amphitryon, to sleep with her.
• Hera, Zeus's wife, was infuriated by Zeus's infidelity and sought revenge on Hercules from birth.
• Hera tried to delay Hercules’s birth and sent serpents to kill him in his cradle, but he strangled them.

Hercules's Early Life and Training

• Hercules was raised by Alcmene and Amphitryon.
• He received training in wrestling, archery, and music.
• Hercules accidentally killed his music teacher, Linus, with a lyre, demonstrating his uncontrollable strength.
• To atone for this act, he was sent to tend cattle on Mount Cithaeron.

Hercules's Twelve Labors

• Hercules is famous for completing the Twelve Labors, assigned to him by King Eurystheus of Tiryns.
• These labors were imposed as penance for killing his wife, Megara, and their children in a fit of madness induced by Hera.
• The labors include:
  • Killing the Nemean Lion: A lion with impenetrable skin, which Hercules strangled.
  • Killing the Lernaean Hydra: A multi-headed serpent; when a head was cut off, two grew back, Hercules cauterized the severed necks to prevent regrowth.
  • Capturing the Ceryneian Hind: A golden-horned deer sacred to Artemis, chased it for a year before capturing it.
  • Capturing the Erymanthian Boar: A giant boar that Hercules trapped in a snowdrift.
  • Cleaning the Augean Stables: These stables of King Augeas had not been cleaned in years, so Hercules diverted two rivers to flush them out.
  • Killing the Stymphalian Birds: Man-eating birds with bronze beaks and feathers; Hercules used a rattle to scare them and then shot them down.
  • Capturing the Cretan Bull: A magnificent bull that Hercules wrestled into submission.
  • Stealing the Mares of Diomedes: Man-eating horses; Hercules fed Diomedes to his own horses.
  • Obtaining the Girdle of Hippolyta: From the queen of the Amazons; Hercules killed Hippolyta in the process.
  • Obtaining the Cattle of Geryon: A three-bodied giant that Hercules killed along with his two-headed dog.
  • Stealing the Apples of the Hesperides: Golden apples guarded by a dragon; Hercules enlisted Atlas to retrieve them while he held up the sky.
  • Capturing Cerberus: The three-headed dog guarding the Underworld, Hercules brought Cerberus up to earth and then returned him.

Other Adventures and Exploits

• Hercules participated in the Argonaut expedition.
• He rescued Hesione from a sea monster.
• Hercules defeated the Moliones, conjoined twins with immense strength.
• He battled the Ligurians, who attacked him while traveling through their territory.

Hercules's Death and Apotheosis

• Hercules’s death was brought about by Deianira, his wife.
• Deianira unknowingly used a poisoned shirt, from the centaur Nessus, on Hercules.
• The shirt caused Hercules excruciating pain, and he built a funeral pyre for himself.
• As the flames consumed his mortal body, his divine self ascended to Mount Olympus.
• He was granted immortality and reconciled with Hera, and married Hebe, the goddess of youth.

Hercules's Character Traits

• Hercules was known for his immense strength, courage, and determination.
• He was also prone to fits of rage and lacked intelligence.
• Hercules was a complex character that was capable of heroism and terrible acts.
• He symbolized physical strength, perseverance, and the struggle against adversity.

Hercules's Legacy and Influence

• Hercules is an enduring figure in mythology.
• He has appeared in countless works of art, literature, and popular culture.
• Hercules embodies the ideal of the hero, who overcomes great obstacles through strength and determination.
• A "Herculean task" describes one requiring immense strength, size, or difficulty.