In 1289 BC, while off the coast of Mysia, the Argonauts sent Heracles and his arms-bearer Hylas, the orphaned prince of the Dryopians, to gather lumber to repair an oar that Heracles had broken. As a young adult, Heracles joined Jason and his Argonauts on their quest to find the Golden Fleece of the winged ram Chrysomallos. Heracles’ extraordinary strength became apparent at one year old when he strangled two serpents sent by Hera to slay him. The goddess Athena renamed the boy Heracles, as he had earned Hera’s wrath. Jealous over this infidelity, Zeus’ wife Hera sought vengeance on the infant son born to Alcmena, originally named Alcaeus. By most accounts, over three thousand years ago, recognizing the need for a powerful son to defend both humanity and the Olympian gods from future dangers, Zeus seduced Alcmena in the guise of her husband, Theban general Amphitryon.
Accounts and chronology of Hercules’ adventures often vary, and Hercules’ lengthy existence and frequent battles have been credited for possible discrepancies in his memory.
Hercules is the son of Zeus, the king of the Olympian gods, and Alcmena-herself the great-granddaughter of Zeus. Son of the Olympus God-King Zeus and a mortal woman, Hercules is a legendary Greek demigod and a long-time Avenger.
