Hercules' influence

The Greek myth of the demi-god Heracles (more commonly known as his Roman equivalent ‘Hercules’) has survived through many different time periods and cultures and still remains a well known character in today’s society. Although the common tale has changed to be more accustomed to the modern 21st century society, the original myth endures.

Greek Demi- god Heracles

Heracles was the son of Alcmene a mortal that Zeus had become enamoured to; Zeus came to her one night in the form of her husband Amphitryon and lay with her, conceiving Hercules. Hera, Zeus’ lover was jealous as Zeus made an oath that Heracles would grow up to one day be King of all the lands he walked.
Hera eventually took her revenge on Hercules when she caused him into a fit of madness where he murdered his only sons, his wife Megara died of heartache upon hearing the news. In penance for this terrible deed, Heracles undertook to perform 12 labours under orders from Eurystheus; where on conclusion he would be granted immortality. The first labour was to kill the Nemean lion; the beast was invulnerable to weapons and continued to terrorize a mountainous district. Heracles wrestled the lion in its cave and eventually killed it with an olivewood cudgel, he then removed the pelt by using the beasts own claws. Heracles wore the lion skin as a cloak, which that and the wooden club became his trademarks that would represent the Hero for thousands of years to come.

Herakles wrestling the Nemean lion; Iolaos, Athena, Hermes.
Attic black-figure amphora
Bateman painter
540-530 BC
The Myth of Heracles’ labours inspired many Greek vases as shown in the black figure amphora; here Heracles is depicted battling the Nemean Lion. Heracles’ battle with the Lion is perhaps the most commonly depicted of all his adventures. The subject first appears in vase painting on Corinthian vases of the 7th century B.C. This image, which was created in 540-530 BC encapsulated a part of the myth and may have