Heracles

Greatest of all Greek heroes — son of Zeus by the mortal Alcmene of Thebes, born after Zeus prolonged the night of his conception. Pursued from infancy by Hera's jealousy, he strangled the two serpents she sent to his cradle. As a young man, driven mad by Hera, he killed his own wife and children at Thebes; in expiation he served Eurystheus of Tiryns and performed the canonical twelve Labours from the Nemean Lion to the descent for Cerberus. After Deianira's poisoned shirt and his self-immolation on Mount Oeta, Hesiod and Pindar agree that he was received on Olympus, reconciled to Hera, and married to Hebe.

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