1. Heracles Roman Name: Hercules

2. Important Facts about Heracles Heracles is a strong, brave, and handsome hero. He was born of Zeus (king of gods) and Alcmene (mortal). He was raised by stepfathers, Amphitryon and Radamanthes. Before his birth, Zeus’ wife, Hera, had deceivingly taken the rightful throne of Heracles and given it Eurystheus, descendent of Perseus. Even though his name means “Glory of Hera,” he is greatly hated by Hera. Heracles’ wives are Megara and Hebe. He had three sons with Megara. Heracles was sentenced to do labors by the oracle of Delphi because of the fact that he had killed his wife and children due to a sudden state of madness sent forth by Hera. The labors were also a duty towards King Eurytheseus.

3. Strengths and Weaknesses Hercules' Strengths: Extraordinary strength, courage, heroism, determined and skill. Hercules' Weaknesses: Can be immoral and greedy. He was the son of Zeus and therefore had godly powers including extraordinary strength. Heracles was extremely passionate and emotional individual. He was capable of doing both great deeds for his friends and being a terrible enemy who would inflict horrible retaliation on those who tried him.

4. Symbols That Represent Heracles A Wooden Club- because he carries a big club which is also his favorite weapon Two Twin Pillar- there were two bronze pillars built in honor of Hercules’ twelve labors. Lion’s Skin- he wears a lion’s skin. Three-headed dog- this represents the three- headed Cerberus that he defeated as one of his labors.

5. A Story With Heracles This is the second labor of all of Heracles' 12 labors. This was destroying of the Lernaean hydra, a sea-creature said to possess so many heads and to have poisonous breath. Upon reaching the swamp near Lake Lerna, Heracles covered his mouth and nose with a cloth to protect him from the poisonous fumes. He then fired flaming arrows into the spring of Amymone, the creature’s cave, to draw it out. Heracles, carrying a harvesting sickle, attacked the hydra. But as he cut off a head, he found two more grew in its place. Heracles then called on his nephew, Iolaus. His nephew then came to the idea of using a burning firebrand to burn the neck stumps after decapitation. The creature’s own venomous blood was used to burn the heads so they could not grow back. This is only one of the 12 harsh labors Hercules had to complete due to Hera’s raging anger towards him.

6. Heracles’ Significance in Greek Mythology Heracles was the greatest Greek hero to be known. He was a brave, courageous, and strong hero who endured pain, helped others in need, and complied to Hera’s harsh orders. He was the son of Zeus and Alcmena. He was also the greatest of Hellenic chthonic heroes, but was also considered a god. And, therefore, he came the closest to being called a demi-god. At his demise, he his mortal aspect of his soul (from mother, Alcmena) was sent to the underworld. Then, because of his spectacular achievements and heroic standards, he was sent to Mt. Olympus and given a home and a goddess wife. He was, there, considered a god.

7. Bibliography “Heracles”. Greek and Roman Mythology. Cleveland, Ohio: Eastword Publications development, 2005. “Heracles”. Gods, Goddesses, and Mythology. New York; Marshall Cavendish Corporation, 2005. “Heracles or Hercules”. BBC Home. 29 November, 2009. <http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A722189> “Hercules”. Greece Travel. 26 November, 2009. <http://gogreece.about.com/cs/mythology/a/mythhercules.htm>