Hercules, also known as Heracles in Greek mythology, was the son of Zeus, the king of the gods, and Alcmene, a mortal woman. This makes Hercules a demi-god, a being with both divine and mortal parentage.

Hercules is best known for his extraordinary strength and the story known as The Twelve Labors of Hercules, which were a series of seemingly impossible tasks assigned to him as punishment for his crimes. These tasks included slaying the Nemean Lion, capturing the Erymanthian Boar, and retrieving the golden apples of the Hesperides.

Despite his divine heritage, Hercules was not immune to the trials and tribulations of mortal life. He struggled with bouts of madness and anger, which often led him to commit terrible acts of violence. He was also very aware of his mortality, which seemingly caused him a lot of grief. However, he eventually found redemption and was granted a place among the gods on Mount Olympus.

He was later worshiped as a god and his legendary feats were celebrated in art, literature, and folklore for centuries to come.