Hercules

   From Greek mythology, he is the strongest man on Earth and had great self confidence. His father is Zeus and Alcmena, a mortal, his mother. Hercules married Megara, who gave him three sons. Hera, forever angry with

   Hercules for being a symbol of Zeus' infidelity, made him go mad. In this state he killed his wife and three children. After doing this Hera removed the madness. Seeing what he had done he went to the Oracle at Delphi seeking a way to purify himself for his evil deed. He was told to go to his cousin, King Eurystheus, and submit to whatever the king told him to do. King Eurystheus gave him twelve labors to perform, and when they were completed Hercules felt cleansed of the murders. Also called Herakles. See Chiron. His twelve labors were to:

   1. Kill the Nemean Lion - It was impervious to weapons, so Hercules stunned it with a blow from a club, then strangled it and wore its skin like a cape, making him almost impervious to weapons also.

   2. Destroy the Lernean Hydra - The hydra has nine heads, if one is cut off, two grow from the stump of the neck to replace it. Hercules would cut a head off and sear the flesh with a burning branch so new heads could not grow. After doing this to all nine heads, the hydra was dead, and Hercules dipped his arrows into its blood, which was a powerful poison.

   3. Capture the Erymanthian Boar - He did this with brute strength.

   4. Capture the Ceryneian Stag - This stag has antlers of gold, brass hooves and is one of the fastest animals on the Earth. He chased the stag for a year before catching it.

   5. Kill the Stymphalian Birds - These countless man-eating birds have iron talons and arrow sharp feathers. Hercules rang a large bell to attract them, then shot most of them and the rest flew away in fright.

   6. Clean the Augean Stables in one day - There were about 3,000 cows in the stables, which had not been cleaned in thirty years. Hercules diverted a river so it ran through the stables and cleaned them.

   7. Bring the Cretan Bull into Peloponnesus alive - He brought this wild bull to its destination by riding on its back as it swam in the sea.

   8. Obtain the horses of Diomedes - These were giant horses who ate human flesh. Hercules overpowered their guards, killed the king's subjects who tried to stop him, and led the horses away.

   9. Obtain the girdle of Hippolyte, Queen of the Amazons - He simply killed her and took the girdle.

   10. Bring the Cattle of Geryon back alive - Geryon was a giant with three bodies, three heads and three sets of arms and legs. Hercules slew him, and many other creatures, as he drove Geryon's herd to their destination.

   11. Obtain the Apples of Hesperides - First he spent a long time finding where the apples were hidden, and had many battles along the way. He convinced Atlas to pick the apples for him, and Hercules held the Earth while he did this. Atlas tried to trick Hercules into holding the Earth forever, but Hercules tricked Atlas, who, to this day, holds the Earth on his shoulders.

   12. Bring Cerberus to Olympus - He did this with Hades approval, the only condition was that he couldn't use any weapons. Hercules later returned Cerberus to the Underworld.