Hercules
Hercules, the son of Zeus and Alcmene was born in Thebes. He was named after Hera, Zeus wife who hated him because he was not her child and a reminder of Zeus’s infidelity. Hercules was a very skilled man as he was taught many skills such as chariot driving, archery, boxing, and wrestling as well as music and literature. Hercules led the Theban army to victory against Orchomenus, and in gratitude, King Creon of Thebes gave Hercules his eldest daughter, Megara and they bore many children. Hera, who was not happy about Hercules being happy, put a brief fit of madness on him, during which Hercules killed his wife and children. Once Hercules recovered, at the advice of a priestess of Apollo at Delphi, he went to Tiryns, the city with Zeus has intended him to rule and serve Eurystheus for twelve years, carrying out all the tasks the king would put upon. Zeus assured him that if he successfully completed the tasks he would be compensated with immortality.
Resources: Classical Mythology by Marion Findlay
