Herakles

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The story of Herakles (known as Hercules in Roman mythology) is one of the most celebrated and enduring in Greek mythology, filled with feats of strength, courage, and perseverance. Herakles was the son of the god Zeus and the mortal woman Alcmene, making him a demi-god with immense strength and divine potential. His birth was marked by a series of challenges, as his mother Alcmene’s husband, Amphitryon, was deceived by Zeus, who disguised himself as Amphitryon to sleep with Alcmene. This led to a complicated family dynamic, as Herakles’ birth stirred the wrath of Hera, Zeus’ wife, who was enraged by her husband’s infidelity. In her jealousy, Hera sought to kill Herakles from infancy.

One of Hera’s first attempts to harm the newborn Herakles was through sending two deadly serpents to his cradle. Even as a baby, Herakles displayed his legendary strength by strangling the serpents with his bare hands. This early display of his extraordinary abilities set the tone for the rest of his life, as Herakles would face numerous trials and challenges that tested his strength, wit, and character.

Herakles’ life was marred by tragedy, particularly due to the jealousy of Hera. When he grew to adulthood, Hera caused him to fall into a madness that led him to kill his wife, Megara, and their children. In order to atone for this terrible crime, the oracle of Delphi instructed Herakles to serve King Eurystheus of Tiryns and complete a series of Twelve Labors, each more difficult and dangerous than the last. The labors, set by Eurystheus and fueled by Hera’s animosity, were designed to break Herakles’ spirit, but instead, he became a symbol of resilience. Over the course of these trials, Herakles accomplished impossible feats, such as slaying the Nemean Lion, capturing the Ceryneian Hind, and retrieving the Apples of the Hesperides. Each labor, though seemingly insurmountable, demonstrated Herakles’ unyielding courage and strength.

Herakles’ story is also deeply intertwined with his relationships with both gods and mortals. Though often aided by divine beings like Athena and Hermes, Herakles’ journey was one of personal sacrifice and hardship. His adventures took him to distant lands, facing monsters, mythological beings, and even venturing into the Underworld to capture the three-headed dog Cerberus. Through these trials, Herakles’ status as a hero was cemented, and his story became a foundation for later hero myths in Western culture.

The tragic elements of his life continued to play a role even after completing the Twelve Labors. Ultimately, Herakles met his death when he was poisoned by a shirt given to him by Deianeira, his wife, who believed it would make him faithful. The poison caused immense pain, and Herakles chose to end his life by self-immolation on a funeral pyre. After his death, he was granted immortality and ascended to Mount Olympus, where he was reconciled with the gods, particularly Hera, and became one of the immortals.

Alexander III 336-323 BCE Alexander IV/Antipater 323-317 BCE Alexander the Great 330-323 BCE Alexandria ad Issum 2nd-1st century BCE Alyzeia, Akarnania 420-380 BCE Amyntas III 393-369 BCE Anaia, Karia 300-200 BCE Androkles of Amathos 325-323 BCE Antigenes 322-320 BCE Antigonos Monophthalmos 305-300 BCE Apollonis, Lydia 200-100 BCE Archon or Dokimos 323-317 BCE Asandros 323-319 BCE Aspesias 316-311 BCE Caesarea Maritima, ca 2nd century CE Dikaia, Macedon 400-350 BCE Dyonysios Herakleia Pontika 337-305 BCE Erythrai, Ionia 4th century BCE Erythrai, Ionioa 275-220 BCE Farnese Herakles 217-218 CEThe Farnese Herakles is the most famous statue of Herakles. Gordian III 238-244 CE Hyspaosines 124/3 BCE Isaura Palaia 335-325 BCE Kalas/Demarchos 325-323 BCE Karystos 350 BCE Kephaloidion, Sicily 339-307 BCE Kleonai, Argolis 320 BCE Kleonai, Argolis ca 320 BCE Koinos 324/323 BCE Kos, Islands off Caria 400-300 BCE Laomedon 319/318 BCE Laranda (Lykaonia) 324/323 BCE Lykkeios 359-335 BCE Memphis, Egypt 323/2 BCE Menelaus 315-306 BCE Mytilene, Lesbos 332 BCE Nikokles of Paphos 325-317 BCE Nikopolis ad Istrum 218-222 CE Pasikrates of Kourion, 325 BCE Pasikrates of Soloi 330-310 BCE Peithon son of Agenor 317-311 BCE Perdikkas 321/320 BCE Perdikkas III 365-359 BCE Phaistos, Crete 330-320 BCE Philip II 359-336 BCE Philip III Arrhidaeos 331-321 BCE Philippi 356-345 BCE Philippi, Macedon 360-356 BCE Philippi, Macedon ca 356-345 BCE Philotas 400-380 BCE Philoxenos 325-323 BCE Postumus 260 CE Ptolemy Keraunos 281-279 BCE Pydna, Macedonia 381-369 BCE Pylaimenes 130 BCE Skotussa, Thessaly 4th cent BCE Stamenes/Archon 324/323 BCE Stratonikeia, Caria 3rd century BCE Stymphalos, Arkadia 350-345 BCE Thermai Himeraiai, Sicily 367-330 BCE Tiribazos 385-380 BCE