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Hercules · Hercules is pronounced,HUR-kyuh-leez, and is the Roman name of the hero. · Heracles, pronounced, HAIR-uh-kleez is the Greek name of the hero. · Hercules is a celebrated hero of classical mythology. · He is the son ofZeus (zoos) and Alcmene (alk-MEE-nee). · Hercules can be identified by his lion skin cloth and his club. · He was a champion and a great warrior, but he would resort to cheating and trickery. · His main achievment was making the world safer for mankind by destroying dangerous monsters. · The Romans and Greeks had many myths about Hercules, and the most well known is probably the Twelve Labours.

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Heracles (HAIR-uh-kleez) media type="file" key="Unknown (1).wav" width="300" height="50"

A Hero is Born Hercules is a Roman name for the mythical Greek hero Heracles.He was the son of Zeus, who was the King of Gods, and Alcmena, who was just a mortal. Many early Romans said that Hercules was based after an Italian shepherd, who was called by “Recaranus” or “Garanus” who was famous for his strength. Hercules strength was unmatchable so he was susceptible to human flaws. These flaws included lust and gluttony.

 THE TWELVE LABOURS

The most famous story about Hercules concerns the twelve labours.After marrying Megara of Thebes, Hera drove Hercules to madness because of her rage at Zeus. Hera is Zues' wife and sister, but Zues cheated on Hera. Hercules is not her son and that is why Hera is aiming for revenge. She tries to ruin his life because she is furious with Zues.While Hercules is in his rage, sent by Hera, he kills his wife and sons, after which he was going to commit suicide.He changed his mind after the oracle in Delphi told him to purify himself by serving his cousin.His cousin was King Eurystheus of Mycenae. Eurystheus gave him twelve labours to accomplish, and when he was done his soul would be cleansed.

 1. The first labour was to kill the [|Nemean lion], which he did with his bare hands.



 2.The second labour was to fight [|Hydra], an immortal monster with nine heads.When a head was removed two more sprouted in its place. Hercules and his friend Iolaus used fire to defeat the monster.

3.The third labour was when he captured [|Cerynitis].

4.The fourth labour was the capture of a wild boar. The Boar lived in North Arcadia, and he captured it.

5.The fifth labour was to clean King Augeias’ stable in Elis.It was huge and filthy so Hercules led two rivers through it.

6.The sixth labour was to kill all of the monster birds who lived at Atymphalos, which he did with help from Athena.

7.The seventh labour was to capture the [|Cretan bull].The bull was either the father of the Minotaur or had taken Europa on its back.



8.The eighth labour was to capture King Diomedes and the man-eating horse.He did not do this correctly. Hercules killed the king but still captured the horse.

9.The ninth labour was to get the girdle of the Amazon queen, its unknown how he did this, but he either defeated her or she gave it up willingly.

10.The tenth labour was to bring back the herd of giant Eurytion on the Island of Erytheia.

11.The eleventh labour was tobring back the golden apples of Hesperides.He did this one of two ways:Hercules either killed the dragon guarding the apples or he tricked Atlas into getting them for him.

12.The final labour was for Hercules to bring back the three-headed-dog [|Cerberus] which guarded Hades.After Hercules completed all of the Labours, he had made his penance, and he then married Deianeira.

[|Family Tree for Hercules]



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By Charlie Levin January 30, 2009 Period 3