Alcmene and Amphitryon had been forced to flee Argos because Amphitryon had killed his father-in-law. Alcmene was married to her cousin Amphitryon whose father Alcedes was also a son of Perseus and Andromeda. Hercules's family origin comes from Argos, since his mother was Alcmene, daughter of the Mycenaean king Electryon (the son of Perseus and Andromeda). His cult was spread throughout the Greek world as the Dorians expanded their domain.Ĭlick on the following links to go directly to the relevant chapter: After his death, he ascended to Mount Olympus and became a god. The hero was the son of Zeus and Alcmene.

Although his myths revolved around Thebes or Argos, the tales of his exploits were known throughout the ancient Greek world.Ī national hero of the Dorians, Hercules is a purely greek hero who represents human power to tame nature - a power that is nonetheless combined with benevolence and justice, and is thus able to free humankind from its torments. Hercules (or Heracles as he is better known by the Greeks), was the greatest, most glorious and best loved of all heroes of Greek Mythology.

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