Heracles

**Heracles** was a divine hero in Greek mythology, the son of Zeus and Alcmene.

## **Background**

A major factor in the well-known tragedies surrounding Heracles is the hatred that the goddess Hera, wife of Zeus, had for him. A full account of Heracles must render it clear why Heracles was so tormented by Hera, when there were many illegitimate offspring sired by Zeus. Heracles was the son of the affair Zeus had with the mortal woman Alcmene. Zeus made love to her after disguising himself as her husband, Amphitryon, home early from war Thus, Heracles' very existence proved at least one of Zeus' many illicit affairs, and Hera often conspired against Zeus' illegitimate offspring as revenge for her husband's infidelities.

Fear of Hera's revenge led Alcmene to expose the infant Heracles, but he was taken up and brought to Hera by his half-sister Athena, who played an important role as protectress of heroes. Hera did not recognize Heracles and nursed him out of pity. Heracles suckled so strongly that he caused Hera pain, and she pushed him away. Her milk sprayed across the heavens and there formed the Milky Way. But with divine milk, Heracles had acquired supernatural powers. Athena brought the infant back to his mother, and he was subsequently raised by his parents.

Driven mad by Hera, Heracles slew his own children. To expiate the crime, Heracles was required to carry out ten labours set by his archenemy, Eurystheus, who had become king in Heracles' place. If he succeeded, he would be purified of his sins and, as myth says, he would be granted immortality.

Despite the difficulty, Heracles accomplished these tasks, but Eurystheus in the end did not accept the success the hero had with two of the labours: the cleansing of the Augean stables, because Heracles was going to accept pay for the labour; and the killing of the Lernaean Hydra, as Heracles' nephew, Iolaus, had helped him burn the stumps of the multiplying heads.

Eurystheus set two more tasks, fetching the Golden Apples of Hesperides and capturing Cerberus. In the end, with ease, the hero successfully performed each added task, bringing the total number of labours up to the magic number twelve.

## **Appearance**

Heracles appears as a very handsome muscular male. He had short curly hair and a long curly beard. He can usually be skin wearing lion skin pelts and carrying a club.

## **Powers and Abilities**

Heracles possesses all the standard powers of a Demigod, but being an illegitimate son of Zeus and after drinking milk from Hera, he was granted considerable power that rivals that of other Demigods.

* **Super Strength**- He had the physical prowess unmatched by any human and monster. His physical strength enhanced all his combat abilities as he could shoot arrows, slash, strangle and pummel and evil mortal or creature that defied him.
* **Super Stamina**- While it is possible for Heracles to tire, it takes a lot more to tire him out.
* **Immortality**- Heracles was granted his immortality after he had completed his 12 labours.
* **Advanced Invulnerability** - Heracles is immune to conventional forms of harm, and he is quite difficult to kill.
* **Regeneration**- Provided his injuries aren't fatal, Heracles can heal himself much faster than humans and monsters.

## **Weaknesses**

* **Deities** - Hera was able to drive him insane and make him kill his own children.
* **Divine Weaponry** - A weapon of a god can kill Heracles.