Hercules

Hercules is the Roman name for the Greek divine hero, Heracles. He is the son of Jupiter and a mortal woman named Alcmena.

In classical mythology, Hercules is known for his great strength and many exciting adventures.

The Romans used the Greek stories and images of Hercules in their own literature and art. In later Western art, popular culture, and books, people usually call the hero Hercules instead of Heracles. Hercules is a complicated character, which lets artists and writers choose how they show him.

Mythology

In Roman mythology, Hercules was known as a strong protector of the weak. When he was very young, the goddess Juno sent snakes to harm him, but Hercules safely handled the snakes. In another story, Hercules was left alone to keep him safe, but the goddess Minerva found him and brought him to Juno. She nursed Hercules, and this event is said to have created the Milky Way in the night sky.

Hercules is remembered for his great strength and many adventures, becoming a famous hero in myths.

Main article: Heracles § Death

Roman era

The name Hercules came from the Etruscans. They called him Heracle or Hercle. Etruscan artists liked to show Hercules on bronze mirrors. Even though Hercules was not part of early Italian religions, he became popular with many Italian people, especially in southern and central Italy.

Hercules had many Roman stories. One story was about him defeating a monster named Cacus who was scaring the area around Rome. He was also linked to the Aventine Hill because of his son Aventinus. Some Roman leaders, like Mark Antony and the emperor Commodus, saw Hercules as their special protector god. Hercules was honored in many ways. Roman brides would wear a special belt called the “knot of Hercules.” People thought it was hard to untie.

Late ancient and medieval mythography

After the Roman Empire turned to Christianity, stories about Hercules were often seen as hidden meanings, or stories with deeper lessons. Writers thought Hercules’s journey to the underworld showed his power over bad desires. Some early Christian writers even linked Hercules to the Bible’s Samson.

During the Middle Ages, Hercules was admired as a brave and wise hero. People believed the monsters he fought stood for bad things in life. One writer said that when Hercules became a star group, or constellation, it proved that strength could help someone reach Heaven. Most of these stories were written in Latin, and the original Greek stories weren’t used much.

Main article: Hercules in ancient literature and art

Renaissance mythography

The Renaissance sparked new interest in Greek stories, especially those about a hero named Hercules. Writers like Natale Conti gathered many tales about Hercules's adventures, highlighting his strength and courage. People admired Hercules so much that they built temples and held special events to honor him.

In 1600, a French leader named Henry of Navarre was called the "Gallic Hercules" because people believed his family was connected to Hercules. This showed how much people respected Hercules during that time.

Worship

The Road of Hercules is a famous path across Southern Gaul that Hercules is said to have walked during one of his labors. The general Hannibal later used this same path when he moved toward Italy, saying he was following Hercules.

In ancient Roman stories, Hercules appears in myths and poems. For example, in the epic poem the Aeneid, the hero Aeneas meets a man named Evander who honors Hercules with gifts and shares tales of Hercules’s brave actions, like beating a monster named Cacus.

Hercules was honored with statues and temples. Romans built many statues of Hercules to celebrate wins in battles as early as 305 BCE. Artists often showed Hercules with a lion skin and a big club, his favorite tool. Even today, Hercules inspires artists and appears in many stories and artworks.