Hercules (mythology)

Hercules
Hercules fighting the Nemean lion by Peter Paul Rubens
Consort	Juventas
Parents	Jupiter and Alcmene
Greek equivalent	Heracles

Hercules is the Roman adaptation of the Greek divine hero Heracles, who was the son of Zeus (Roman equivalent Jupiter) and the mortal Alcmene. In classical mythology, Hercules is famous for his strength and for his numerous far-ranging adventures.

The Romans adapted the Greek hero's iconography and myths for their literature and art under the name Hercules. In later Western art and literature and in popular culture, Hercules is more commonly used than Heracles as the name of the hero. Hercules was a multifaceted figure with contradictory characteristics, which enabled later artists and writers to pick and choose how to represent him. This article provides an introduction to representations of Hercules in the later tradition.

Hercules is known for his many adventures, which took him to the far reaches of the Greco-Roman world. One cycle of these adventures became canonical as the "Twelve Labours", but the list has variations. One traditional order of the labours is found in the Bibliotheca as follows:

Hercules had a greater number of "deeds on the side" (parerga) that have been popular subjects for art, including:

Killing a fire-breathing Cacus (Sebald Beham, 1545)

Holding up the sky for Atlas (based on Heinrich Aldegrever, 1550)

Wrestling with Achelous (16th-century plaque)

Fighting the giant Antaeus (Auguste Couder, 1819)

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