Herakles tionde storverk
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The tale of Hercules—or Heracles (Ηρακλής), as he was originally called in Greek mythology—is one of triumph, tragedy, and resilience. Who hasn’t heard of the 12 Labors of Hercules, the legendary challenges that tested his strength and courage? Known for his unmatched strength and heroic exploits, Hercules’ journey began with a mix of divine favor and gudomlig hostility, setting the scen for the challenges that would shape him into a legend.
The Early Life of Hercules
A. Birth and Parentage
Hercules was born into a unique and complex family dynamic. He was the son of Zeus, king of the frakt, and Alcmene, a mortal woman of great beauty and virtue. However, his conception was not an ordinary event. Zeus, infamous for his romantic escapades, disguised han själv as Alcmene’s husband, Amphitryon, to win her affection. This union resulted in Hercules, a child born with both mortal and divine qualities.
Hercules had a twin brother, Iphicles, who was fully mortal, as he was the biological son of Amphitryon. Despite their shared upbringing, Hercules’ divine heritage meant he was destined for greatness—or, as fate would have it, a life full of challenges and trials. The fami
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Heracles [Ἡρακλῆς, also transliterated as Herakles, later romanised as Hercules], the most renowned hero of antiquity, was the son of Zeus and Alcmene, and the great grandson of Perseus.
The Birth of Heracles
At the time of his birth Alcmene was living at Thebes with her husband Amphitryon, and thus the infant Heracles was born in the palace of his stepfather.
Aware of the animosity with which Hera persecuted all those who rivalled her in the affections of Zeus, Alcmene, fearful lest this hatred should be visited on her innocent child, intrusted him, soon after his birth, to the care of a faithful servant, with instructions to expose him in a certain field, and there leave him, feeling assured that the divine offspring of Zeus would not long remain without the protection of the gods.
Soon after the child had been thus abandoned, Hera and Pallas-Athene happened to pass by the field, and were attracted by its cries. Athene pityingly took up the infant in her arms, and prevailed upon the queen of heaven to put it to her breast; but no sooner had she done so, than the child, causing her pain, she angrily threw him to the ground, and left the spot. Athene, moved with compassion,
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Herakles
Motsvarighet i romersk mytologi: Herkules
Herakles är en halvgud med Zeus på fädernesidan och den dödliga drottningen Alkmene på mödernet. Herakles kom till efter Zeus lurat Alkemene genom att inträda i hennes make Amditryons gestalt.
När kännedom om barnets tillblivelse nådde Hera, Zeus maka, fylldes hon av vrede som skulle förbittra Herakles liv från barn till vuxen. I ett första försök att tillintetgöra frukten av Zeus felsteg lät hon två ormar ringla sig fram till spädbarnet, men redan nu var Herakles utrustad med extraordinär styrka med vilken han oskadliggjorde ormarna.
En myt förtäljer också hur Zeus försökt få sitt barn att bli odödlig genom att lägga det på Hera för att ammas medan hon sov. När Hera vaknade slet hon barnet ifrån sig så att mjölken sprutade ut över himlen och sålunda bildades stjärnsystemet Vintergatan.
Herakles liv fick sina mörka sidor och en stor tragedi, iscensatt av Hera, drabbade honom värst. Den alltjämt bittra gudinnan skickade sin budbärare Iris till jorden för att förmå Lyssa (Vansinnet) att förmörka Herakles förstånd. I en stund av sinnesförvirring tar Herakles livet av sin hustru Megara och sina barn.
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