Heracles
heroThe greatest hero of Greek mythology, son of Zeus and the mortal Alcmene. Famous for his extraordinary strength and his Twelve Labors.
The Myth
Son of Zeus and Alcmene, born in Thebes and persecuted from the cradle by Hera, Heracles was the greatest of all Greek heroes. As an infant he strangled the serpents Hera sent. Trained by the centaur Chiron, he grew to superhuman strength. Driven mad by Hera, he killed his own children, and Apollo's oracle at Delphi commanded him to serve King Eurystheus of Mycenae. His twelve labours took him from the Hydra of Lerna to Cerberus in Hades, from the Amazons to the cattle of Geryon. He freed Prometheus, aided the Olympians against Typhon, and after death was raised to Olympus by Zeus, reconciled at last with Hera.
Children
Hyllus, Telephus
Symbols
Fun Fact
The word "herculean" (meaning requiring enormous strength) comes from Hercules, the Roman name for Heracles.
Words We Inherited
English words and phrases that trace back to this myth:
Explore Further
Heracles (Labours)
heroHeracles performed twelve seemingly impossible labours as penance for killing his family in a...
Amazons
heroThe Amazons were a legendary nation of all-female warriors who lived without men, governed...
Heracles (Divine Hero)
heroThe son of Zeus and Alcmene who performed twelve impossible labours and was the only hero to...
Prometheus (Culture Hero)
heroPrometheus stole fire from the gods and gave it to humanity, for which Zeus chained him to a rock...
Alcmene
heroAlcmene was the mortal woman whom Zeus seduced by disguising himself as her husband — she bore...
Amazons of Themiscyra
creatureThe warrior women of Themiscyra on the Black Sea coast who fought, hunted, and governed...
Eurystheus
heroKing of Mycenae who assigned Heracles his twelve labours, born prematurely through Hera's...
Telephus
heroSon of Heracles and Auge, king of Mysia, who was wounded by Achilles and could only be healed by...
Cerberus
creatureThe three-headed dog that guarded the gates of the underworld, preventing the dead from leaving and...
Chiron
creatureChiron tutored Achilles, Asclepius, Jason — the great teacher.
Delphi Treasury of Athens
placeThe marble treasury built by Athens at Delphi from Marathon spoils, the best-preserved building on...
Geryon
creatureGeryon was a giant with three bodies joined at the waist who owned magnificent red cattle at the...