In Greek mythology, Heracles, or Heraklês ("glory of Hera", Ηρακλης) was a divine hero, the demigod son of Zeus and Alcmene, and stepson of Alcmene's rightful husband and great-grandson of Perseus. In Roman mythology he was called Hercules. He was, arguably, the greatest of the mythical Greek heroes, best known for his superhuman strength. Many stories are told of his life, the most famous being The Twelve Labours of Herakles. His Etruscan equivalent was Hercle, a son of Tinia and Uni. He was also ...

Including:

• Heracles - Birth and childhood
• Heracles - Adulthood
• Heracles - The Twelve Labours
• Heracles - Omphale
• Heracles - Hylas
• Heracles - Iole
• Heracles - Killing various giants
• Heracles - Laomedon/Tros
• Heracles - Other adventures
• Heracles - Marriage affairs and death
• Heracles - Acca Larentia
• Heracles - Heracles' male lovers
• Heracles - Modern and ancient interpretations
• Heracles - Spoken-word myths – audio files

Read more here: » Heracles: Encyclopedia - Heracles

He continued to perform feats such as slaying a lion that was preying on the local flocks and defending Thebes against a neighbouring army. For the latter he was awarded the King of Thebes' (Creon) daughter, Megara. Heracles - The Twelve Labours. Main Article: The Twelve Labours In a fit of madness, induced by Hera, Heracles slew his children and brother's children and as penance as told to him by the Delphic Sibyl, he was required to carry out ten tasks set by his arch-enemy, Eurystheus (who ...

See also:

Heracles, Heracles - Birth and childhood, Heracles - Adulthood, Heracles - The Twelve Labours, Heracles - Omphale, Heracles - Hylas, Heracles - Iole, Heracles - Killing various giants, Heracles - Laomedon/Tros, Heracles - Other adventures, Heracles - Marriage affairs and death, Heracles - Acca Larentia, Heracles - Heracles' male lovers, Heracles - Modern and ancient interpretations, Heracles - Spoken-word myths – audio files

Read more here: » Heracles: Encyclopedia II - Heracles - Adulthood

A major factor in the well-known tragedies surrounding Heracles stem from the hatred the goddess Hera, wife of Zeus, had for him. Heracles was a son of Zeus and Alcmene, and so his very existence proved at least one of Zeus's many illicit affairs. Hera often conspired against Zeus's mortal offspring, as revenge for her husband's infidelities. Heracles was a product of the affair Zeus had with the mortal woman Alcmene. Zeus coupled with her after disguising himself as her husband, Amphitryon, home early from war. Amphitryon did return ...

See also:

Heracles, Heracles - Birth and childhood, Heracles - Adulthood, Heracles - The Twelve Labours, Heracles - Omphale, Heracles - Hylas, Heracles - Iole, Heracles - Killing various giants, Heracles - Laomedon/Tros, Heracles - Other adventures, Heracles - Marriage affairs and death, Heracles - Acca Larentia, Heracles - Heracles' male lovers, Heracles - Modern and ancient interpretations, Heracles - Spoken-word myths – audio files

Read more here: » Heracles: Encyclopedia II - Heracles - Birth and childhood

Heracles had countless affairs with women. He naturally had a great many children from various women, collectively referred to as the Heracleidae (most notable: Macaria). One event that stands out was his stay at the palace of King Thespios, who liked his build and encouraged Heracles to make love to his daughters, all fifty of them, in one night. They all got pregnant and all bore sons. Many of the kings of ancient Greece traced their lines to one or ano ...

See also:

Heracles, Heracles - Birth and childhood, Heracles - Adulthood, Heracles - The Twelve Labours, Heracles - Omphale, Heracles - Hylas, Heracles - Iole, Heracles - Killing various giants, Heracles - Laomedon/Tros, Heracles - Other adventures, Heracles - Marriage affairs and death, Heracles - Acca Larentia, Heracles - Heracles' male lovers, Heracles - Modern and ancient interpretations, Heracles - Spoken-word myths – audio files

Read more here: » Heracles: Encyclopedia II - Heracles - Marriage affairs and death

Via the Greco-Buddhist culture, Herculean symbolism was transmitted to the far east. An example remains to this day in the Nio guardian deities in front of Japanese Buddhist temples. Later interpretations of Heracles' legend cast him as a wise leader and a good friend (many of the movie and TV adaptations cast him in this light, especially the recent syndicated TV series Hercules: The Legendary Journeys, and the movie Hercules). While he was a champion and a great warrior, he was not above cheating and using a ...

See also:

Heracles, Heracles - Birth and childhood, Heracles - Adulthood, Heracles - The Twelve Labours, Heracles - Omphale, Heracles - Hylas, Heracles - Iole, Heracles - Killing various giants, Heracles - Laomedon/Tros, Heracles - Other adventures, Heracles - Marriage affairs and death, Heracles - Acca Larentia, Heracles - Heracles' male lovers, Heracles - Modern and ancient interpretations, Heracles - Spoken-word myths – audio files

Read more here: » Heracles: Encyclopedia II - Heracles - Modern and ancient interpretations