The Legend of Hercules (Herakles): Greatest Hero in Greek Mythology

The Greek demigod Hercules, but known in Greek as Herakles, is famous for his great strength and stamina, as well as a series of adventures known as the 12 labours of Hercules, through which he defeated powerful monsters, such as the nine-headed Hydra and Cerberus, the hound of the underworld. Hercules was the son of the god Zeus and the mortal woman Alcmene. Despite his heroic strength, he had a very difficult life due to Zeus’ jealous wife Hera seeking to destroy him. The name Herakles, which he adopted later in life, means ‘Glory of Hera’ which signifies that he would become famous through his difficulties with the goddess who hated him as the living evidence of yet another of her husband’s affairs.