The Labours of Herakles

One hero stands both literally and metaphorically head and shoulders above all the others: Herakles (Hercules in Latin). Yet he can be a difficult character to pin down: he certainly lives up to his stereotyped image as a mighty performer of astonishing feats, yet he can also appear at the heart of Greek tragedies, take the stage as a gluttonous comic buffoon or be a philosophical role model. His heroism finally wins him the ultimate prize, since his accomplishments lead to immortality.

Herakles - Before the Labours

Apollodoros relates a strange chronology and geneology. During the reign of the King of Mycenae, Elektryon the six sons of Pterelaos claimed the nearby kingdon of Tiryns. Likymnios was the sole surviving son of Elektryon who swore revenge on the sons and entrusted his daughter Alkmena and his kingdom to Amphitryon. He died and his brother Sthenelos used the pretext to take over the throne and banish Amphitryon who took refuge with Alkmena and Likynnios with Kreon at Thebes.

After ridding Thebes of a giant Vixen, Amphitryon sails to the