Hercules was known for his incredible feats, such as traveling to the underworld twice and wrestling death. In various languages, Hercules‘ name is used as a male name, such as Hercule in French, Iraklis in Greek, and Irakli in Georgian. The name Heracles was derived from the Greek word kleos, which literally means “glory,” and the name of the goddess Hera, who was his lifelong enemy and an homage to the goddess. His fourth wife, Hebe, was his last wife. His second wife, Omphale, was a Lydian queen, while his third wife, Deianira, was the daughter of a river god known as Achelous. Because of this, he was forced to become Eurystheus’ servant. This was due to a fit of madness sent upon him by the goddess Hera. He was married 4 times.Īfter they got married, he killed all his children from his first wife, Megara, who was the daughter of Creon, the king of Thebes. His romantic hetrosexual affairs almost always resulted in childern being born which has been estimated to be over 105 which included 50 sons with the 50 daughters of Thespius. In Greek mythology, Heracles was a promiscuous person like his father Zeus, and took on numerous male and female lovers during his lifetime. He was regarded as one of the greatest Greek heroes, and he was an Olympian who fought against chthonic monster and also the ancestor of royal clans who claimed to be Heracleidae.

He was a half-brother and great-grandson of Perseus as well as a half-brother of Dionysus. Heracles was son of Alcmene and Zeus while also being the foster child of Amphitryon. He was depicted as a large and muscular man, and he could be identified by his various weapons, such as his bow, his club, and the skin of the Nemean Lion. Physical TraitsĪccording to Greek mythology, Heracles was the strongest man that ever lived.

He was then taken to Mount Olympus and became an immortal deity where he married the goddess Hebe. He climbed on top of the pyre and waited for someone to pass by so it could be set alight.Īfter his friend Poeas lit the fire, Heracles was then burned to death. To end his suffering, he built a funeral pyre on Mount Oeta. Heracles was almost killed after his wife, Deianira, gave him a poisoned shirt, which caused him to experience severe pain. He had many interesting stories to tell, as he appeared in hundreds of myths. Even today, people still use the word “Herculean” to refer to this mythological hero.

He was the son of Zeus and the goddess Hera, and he was regarded as a symbol of bravery and strength. Heracles, also known as Hercules, is one of the most celebrated characters in Greek mythology.

Is zeus hercules father