Hercules
By: Mikki • Essay • 313 Words • November 29, 2009 • 1,099 Views
Essay title: Hercules
HERCULES
Hercules was considered one of the greatest heroes
of mythology. He was known as a demi-god, and he symbolized great strength and courage. Hercules was Roman name for the greatest hero of Greek mythology. Like most authentic heroes
, Hercules had a god as one of his parents, being the son of Zeus and a mortal woman. Zeus’ queen, Hera, was jealous of Hercules, and when he was still an infant, she sent two snakes to kill him in his crib. Hercules was found with a strangled serpent in each hand.
Hercules father was Zeus. His mother was Alcmene. He had one sibling named Iphicles. Two other names for Hercules were Herakles and Heracles.
The goddess Hera, determined to make trouble for Hercules, made him lose his mind. In a confused and angry state, he killed his own wife and children. When he awakened from his “temporary insanity,” Hercules was shocked and upset by what he’d done. He prayed to the god Apollo for guidance, and the god’s oracle told him he would have to serve Eurystheus, the king of Tiryns