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Hercules : A Hero Of Hercules, A Greek-Roman Hero

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Hercules is a well known Greek/Roman hero. He is a great hero and the son of the great god Zeus. But, like all prominent heroes, he had enemies. His most hated enemy is no other than Zeus’ wife, Hera. Because of the goddess Hera, he is known for one of his greatest qualities, bravery. Even though Hercules’ life was dark, he was the most powerful and famous hero in all of the Greek mythology. Hercules’ origin began when Zeus lay with Alkmene. But, before that Zeus had a desire for Alcmene. One day while Amphitryon, Alcmene's husband, was away, Zeus went to visit Alcmene disguised as Amphitryon. Right after Hercules' birth, Alcmene, his mother, took him to a forest outside of the city of Thebes and deserted him, because she was afraid of what Hera would do with Hercules. “However, Athena, the patron of most heroes, saw him from Olympus and advised Hera that they should go take a walk on Earth(Gagarin). They came to where the baby lay, hungry and crying, and Athena said to Hera, ‘I can't do anything to help this baby, but you're one of those mother goddesses(Gagarin). Why don't you feed him(Gagarin)?’ Hera, not knowing it was Hercules, began to nurse him at her breast, but Hercules sucked so hard that it hurt her(Gagarin). Hera pushed him away, and the force of her rejection (and of his sucking) was so great that milk flew from his mouth and her breast up into the sky(Gagarin)”. Later on, when Hercules was sleeping in his crib Hera sent two snakes to kill Hercules. When Alcmene saw Hercules, he had two dead snakes in his hand. When he was older he was taught by great people. “Eurytos, the world's best archer, taught him archery, Autolykos taught him wrestling, Kastor taught him the use of weapons, and Linos, the brother of Orpheus, gave him music lessons(Gagarin)”. Later on, Thebes had been commandeered by Minyans. Hercules led a rebellion to force out the Minyans and give the kingdom back to King Creon. In gratefulness and recognition, he gave his daughter, Megara, as his wife. “Megara and Hercules had three sons: Thirimachos, Deicoon, and Creontiades”(Cartwright). When Hercules and his family were happy he was driven into madness by Hera. He killed his wife and three children. When he realized what he

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