The Probert Encyclopaedia of Greek & Roman Mythology

HERCULES

In Greek and Roman mythology, Hercules (called by the Greeks Heracles) was the most celebrated hero or semi-divine personage, he was the son of Zeus (Jupiter) by Alcmena, the wife of Amphitryon and was brought up at Thebes, and before he was eight months old he had strangled two snakes sent by the jealous Hera (Juno) to devour him.

In his youth he had several distinguished instructors, among them the Centaur Cheiron. Early in life he had, at the command of Zeus, to subject himself for twelve years to the will of Eurystheus, on the understanding that after he had acquitted himself of this duty he should be reckoned in the number of the gods. He, therefore, went to Mycenae, and performed at the bidding of Eurystheus the tasks known as the twelve labours of Hercules. These were

1. Kill the Nemean lion which ravaged the country.
   
2. Destroy the Lernean hydra.
   
3. Capture alive and unhurt the Ceryneian stag which was famous for its golden horns, brazen feet and swiftness.
   
4. Capture alive the Erymanthian boar which ravaged the neighbourhood.
   
5. Clean the Augean stables where 3000 oxen had been confined for many years.
   
6. Kill the Stymphalian birds which ravaged the country near the lake and which ate human flesh.
   
7. Bring alive into Peloponnesus the Cretan bull.
   
8. Obtain the horses or mares of Diomedes which fed upon human flesh.
   
9. Obtain the girdle of Hippolyte, which had been presented to the Amazonian queen by Ares (Mars).
   
10. Kill the monster of Geryon and bring to Argos his numerous cattle which fed upon human flesh.
    
11. Obtain the apples of Hesperides.
    
12. Bring from the infernal regions Cerberus the three headed dog of Hades.
    

Having attempted to plunder the temple at Delphi, he became engaged in conflict with Apollo, and was punished by being sold to Omphale, queen of Lydia, as a slave, who restored him to liberty and married him. Having latterly returned to Greece, he became the husband of Dejanira, who unwittingly brought about his death by giving him a tunic poisoned with the blood of the Centaur Neasus, which she innocently believed would retain for her Hercules' love. The poison took effect whenever the garment was put on, and as the distemper was incurable, Hercules placed himself on a burning pile on the top of Mount OEta, was received up into heaven, and being there reconciled to Hera, received her daughter Hebe in marriage. At the death of Hercules Deianira killed her self also through grief.

In ancient works of art Hercules is generally represented naked, with strong and well-proportioned limbs; he is sometimes covered with the skin of the Nemaean lion, and holds a knotted club in his hand, on which he often leans. The principal ancient statue of him which remains is the Farnese Hercules at Naples, a work of the Athenian Griycon, The myth of Hercules is believed by many writers to represent the course of the sun through the twelve signs of the zodiac. His marriage with Hebe was explained even by the ancients as symbolic of the renewing of the sun's course after its completion.
Research Hercules