Heracles

Hercules Nessus MAN Napoli Inv9001

Eurytios Krater Louvre E635 n1

Herakles strangling snakes Louvre G192

Jacopo Tintoretto - The Origin of the Milky Way - Google Art Project

Herakles snake Musei Capitolini MC247

Heracles, also known by his Roman name Hercules, is a legendary hero from Greek mythology, famous for his extraordinary strength, courage, and for completing the twelve labors, a series of feats impossible for any mortal. He is the son of Zeus, the king of the gods, and Alcmene, a mortal woman. This dual heritage made Heracles a demigod, granting him both incredible power and a life filled with immense challenges.

Birth and Early Life

Heracles' life was fraught with difficulties from the beginning, largely due to the jealousy of Hera, Zeus's wife. Hera's hatred for Heracles stemmed from her husband's infidelity and the existence of his illegitimate son. She sent two serpents to kill him in his crib, but the infant Heracles demonstrated his divine strength by strangling them.

The Twelve Labors of Heracles

The most famous tales of Heracles revolve around the Twelve Labors, a series of tasks assigned to him as penance for killing his wife, Megara, and their children, driven mad by Hera. To purify himself, Heracles served King Eurystheus of Tiryns for twelve years, completing tasks that ranged from slaying the Nemean Lion and capturing the Golden Hind of Artemis, to stealing the Apples of the Hesperides and capturing Cerberus, the guard dog of the Underworld.

Notable Labors

• The Nemean Lion: Heracles was tasked with killing a lion that terrorized the region of Nemea. He strangled it to death and wore its skin as armor.
• The Lernaean Hydra: A monstrous serpent with multiple heads that could regenerate two heads for each one cut off. Heracles defeated it with the help of his nephew Iolaus.
• The Augean Stables: Heracles cleaned the stables of King Augeas, which housed thousands of cattle and had not been cleaned for years, in a single day by rerouting two rivers.
• The Cattle of Geryon: He traveled to the western edge of the world to fetch the magnificent cattle of the giant Geryon.

Later Life and Death

After completing the labors, Heracles embarked on many other adventures, including aiding the gods in the battle against the Giants and participating in the quest for the Golden Fleece as part of the Argonauts. His death was as tragic as his life; he was poisoned by a robe dipped in the blood of the centaur Nessus, which he had been tricked into wearing by his wife, Deianira. Ascending to Mount Olympus upon his death, Heracles was granted immortality by the gods and reconciled with Hera.

Legacy

Heracles' legacy is a testament to the qualities the Greeks admired: strength, bravery, and the ability to overcome insurmountable odds. His stories have been told and retold through centuries, influencing countless works of literature, art, and culture. He is considered a symbol of perseverance and heroism.