When Hercules was born to Alcmene, she named him Herakles. But in Roman, Herakles is pronounced Hercules, which is name we use for Hercules to this day. Hercules in Greek mythology is a great figure of valor and muscle strength. Hercules bravery earned him a place among gods. After he left mortal world, he found a position on Mount Olympus, gods' dwelling place.

Zeus, King of gods was an unfaithful husband. He had a weakness for worldly pleasures. He fell in love with Alcmene, wife of Amphitryon. In a short time, Alcmene conceived Hercules. This angered Hera and she tried to kill Hercules. Hercules survived his first fatal assault with a miracle.

When Hercules reached adulthood he became a famous warrior. He also fell in love with a beautiful woman called Megara. Megara became mother of Hercules' children and together they made a happy family. However, things were to be different. Hera took a vow to irritate Hercules during his lifetime. She tricked Hercules into a wild rage. In his rage, mortal god Hercules killed his family. This was exactly what Hera wanted!

When Hercules returned to his normal state of mind, he saw things were beyond remedy. He prayed to Apollo to get rid of his crime. Apollo was sun god who could read into future. We find in Greek Mythology that Hercules requested his advice. Apollo assigned him ten important tasks (later it was turned to twelve) as way of purifying his soul.

The Delphic oracle sent him to Tiryns where king Eurystheus ruled. Hercules was expected to serve him as laborer for twelve years of his life. However, difficult service was not fruitless. Apollo promised him immortality. He was to become a god. However, great Hercules of greek mythology had one problem, Hera. She actually kept her promise to make Hercules' life as wretched as she could. Nevertheless, with assistance of Hermes and Athena, Hercules pulled off his term of twelve years with excellence. In addition, he became greatest mortal on earth to become a god.

Hercules In Greek Mythology – What Made Him So Special?
The honorable penance of Hercules and his eventual success is what makes him so special. His success brought him immortality, which would have been unthinkable for ordinary mortals. Hercules' first task was to peel off skin of horrifying Nemean Lion after capturing one. His next task was to kill The Lernean Hydra. The Lernean Hydra was a serpent with nine heads, which never gave peace to lives of those around it. The third task for him was to bring a Hind (a sacred red deer) from Ceryneia to king. The deer was pet of Diana, Moon goddess.

A Bird’s Eye View of Greek Life

Ancient Greek mythology can be traced back to three main sources: Homer, Hesiod and The Homeric Hymns from around 800 B.C. There are many variations of myths, as they have been changed over time, and added to and subtracted from depending on writers. They give some information on Greek way of life and its relation to cult practices. The Greek Myths are our window into distant Greek past; they give us a view of a world that existed, an inkling of not only lives and minds of ruling class but of humble and long suffering natives of ancient Greece.

Greek Mythology and Gods

About 1200 B.C., residents of Greece and Asia Minor shared a common belief in a group of deities or gods and goddesses known as Olympians. The Olympians descended from primal, self-created gods, beginning with Kaos (or Chaos). The Olympians are Immortals. Greek mythology lists many legends about birth of Olympians, whom neither age or become sick or injured. They are invincible and have unique personality traits and appearances. Though ruled by Zeus, each Olympian god/goddess has his/her own distinct family tree and area of expertise.