Heracles

Also known as: Amphitryon’s son · Family: Greek · Role: son of Zeus and Alcmena; twin brother of Iphiclus · First appears: The Catalogues of Women and Eoiae · Fragments 81–100

Heracles, son of Zeus and Alcmena, was born in Thebes alongside his twin brother Iphiclus, son of Amphitryon; the twins had different fathers. Deianeira was subject in love to Heracles and bore him Hyllus, Glenus, Ctesippus, and Odites. Auge also joined in love with him and bore Telephus.

Heracles slew Cycnus, son of Ares. When Ares attacked him, Athena deflected the god’s spear, and Heracles wounded Ares in the thigh and cast him to the ground. Then Heracles and Iolaus stripped Cycnus of his armour and went to Trachis. Later, after landing from the Argo to look for water, Heracles was left behind in Magnesia near Aphetae.

Heracles sacked Oechalia for the sake of Iole, daughter of Eurytus. In the Homeric Hymn, he lives on Olympus with Hebe as his wife.