As the most popular of Greek heroes, Herakles, sometimes called "Hercules", has been celebrated in stories, sculptures, paintings and even in the geography of the ancient world.

A beloved child has many names. It is therefore not surprising that Herakles and his name often is rendered as Heracles, using a C, instead of K, to represent the Greek letter kappa.
He was the son of the god Zeus and the mortal woman Alkmene. Living up to his father example he therefore became the archetype for bravery and he was more than a match for men and gods alike. Styling a belt and golden baldric that were artistically design in gruesome pictures of manslaughter and vicious beasts.

Being a demigod did however not make his life any easier, quite the opposite.
He was in fact the focus of considerable wrath, as well as love, of the Immortals, (The gods, demigods and other divinities in Greek mythology).
He was born in the Age of Heroes, as it is called. Into the fourth generation of mortal men on earth and being protected by Zeus, even at times when other gods, such as Ares when trying to revenge the death of his son, did not matter better for Herakles and envy towards his grew.

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When Herakles story was finally committed to paper, around the year 480 BCE, the legend had become rather exaggerated but the essence of the hero itself was still preserved.
It was told by defining into Labours, Incidentals and Deeds.
After his Twelve Labours, or as previously described as tasks, Herakles took to travelling the world in search of a life that was not dominated by vengeful kings, Immortals and vindictive relatives, such as the goddess Hera. He therefore spent the remainder of his life travelling and his adventures during this time came to be known as the Deeds, ranging from interesting and comical to, finally, fatal.

Herakles met his death after being poisoned by the blood of the centaur Nessos. He therefore suffered tremendous pain before finally succumbing to his torment.
As he lay on his funeral pyre, he begged for his life to be ended and to be released from his torment.
Philoktetes was the one to set the pyre alight and also the one to take Herakles’ bow and use it when fighting the Greeks during the siege of Troy, putting Herakles’ death at around 1250 BCE.

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Herakles was presumed to have murdered his first wife, Megara. This later came to haunt him when he wanted to marry the daughter of Eurytos, Iole.
After a championship for the hand of Iole, which of course Herakles won, her father refused to allow her to wed, resulting in Herakles murdering her father as well as brothers and changing his mind about marriage. Instead opting for only taking her as his mistress instead, which of course was a great insult to her.

Herakles faith in marriage was however restored when he later on met Deianeira. The daughter of Oineus, of Kalydon.
Since the river god Arkheloos already was a suitor to Deianeira he would of course not step aside for Herakles sake and so a battle between the two commenced.
The bull-like Akheloos fought strong, as did Herakles, with the first finally succumbing once Herakles had broken off his horns and thus ending the fight and so Herakles got his wife and family, fathering a son with Deianeira, Hyllus.

During Herakles’ travels, which continued with his family by his side, they once had to cross a river and the centaur Nessos offered to help Herakles’ wife across.
While Herakles was still crossing the river Nessos attempted to force himself on Deianeira. This woke a savage fury in Herakles who pounced on Nessos and savagely slay him.
As revenge Nessos managed to convince Deianeira that his blood was a powerful love potion, that if added to Herakles’ body it would bind him to her forever.
As a result of course Deianeira collected some of the blood before they left him and she rubbed in on Herakles’ cloak. What came of it was however terrible. The blood of the centaur instead poisoned Herakles and burned him like acid.
Herakles then made his way to Mount Oita, where he would prepare to die and as he lay in his funeral pyre he was taken to Mount Olympos, by Athene, where he resides to this day at the side of his goddess wife Hebe and all other Olympians.

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