Hercules was the Roman counterpart of Heracles, the Greek heavenly hero. He is the mortal Alcmene's son and Zeus' son. ¹⁾

Hercules is a Greek demigod. A demi-god is a person who is the offspring of a deity and a human. ²⁾

Hercules was assigned a series of difficult tasks known as the “Twelve Labors.” If he completed all of these Labors, he would be cleansed of his sins and granted immortality. Slaying the Stymphalian birds, capturing the Cretan Bull, and seizing the Mares of Diomedes were among the 12 labor duties.³⁾

Mark Antony, as well as Emperor Commodus, regarded him as a personal patron deity. Hercules was worshiped in a variety of ways, notably as a deity concerned with children and childbirth, due in part to tales about his precocious childhood and in part because he fathered innumerable offspring.⁴⁾

The “knot of Hercules” was wrapped around the waist of Roman brides. The spouse was expected to struggle to untie the knot. ⁵⁾

Steve Reeves was a professional bodybuilder who went to acting and played Hercules in the 1958 film 'Hercules.' In his bodybuilding career, Reeves won Mr. America, Mr. World, and Mr. Universe. ⁶⁾

In medieval mythology, Hercules was seen as a powerful role model since he exemplified both courage and wisdom. The monsters he fought, on the other hand, were considered as moral impediments. ⁷⁾

Hercules is frequently shown in ancient Greek Archaic and Classical art with a knotted stick, a quiver full of arrows, and wearing a lion's skin with a lion's head helmet. ⁸⁾

Hercules was seen as a masculine icon. He spawned a lengthy line of royal clans and was the Olympian order's champion against dreadful beasts. ⁹⁾

Hercules, together with Hermes, was the patron and defender of gymnasia. The demigod was a fun-loving person who enjoyed playing games and entertaining youngsters. He is frequently seen wearing lion skin and wielding a club. ¹⁰⁾

Zeus' unlawful affairs were demonstrated by the existence of Hercules. His birth infuriated Zeus' wife, Hera, who has made numerous attempts to end Hercules' life. ¹¹⁾

Iphicles, Hercules' mortal twin, was the genuine Amphitryon's father. Fearing Hera's wrath, Alcmene abandoned Hercules in the woods, only to be discovered by Athena, who took the infant Hercules to Hera. Hera did not recognize him and nursed him out of compassion. ¹²⁾

Hercules obtained superpower abilities after drinking Hera's holy milk. Athena returned him to his parents, who nurtured him as Alcides. ¹³⁾

Hera brought two huge snakes to Hercules and Iphicles' chambers when they were eight months old. This was in vain because Hercules was able to seize and strangle the snakes in order to defend himself and his brother. ¹⁴⁾

Heracles married King Creon's daughter Megara in Thebes. Hera, still enraged, instilled in Hercules a fit of insanity, prompting him to murder his family. ¹⁵⁾