The hero we know as Heracles was born Alcides. His troubles began as the son of the god Zeus and a mortal woman, earning him the unending hatred of Zeus’s wife, Hera. In a fit of madness sent by the goddess, the hero murdered his own children. Horrified, he journeyed to the Oracle at Delphi to ask how he could atone. The priestess gave him a new name: Heracles, meaning ‘Glory of Hera’. According to the mythographer Apollodorus, the Oracle commanded him to serve King Eurystheus and perform ten labors, not twelve. For completing these tasks, the Oracle promised Heracles would be granted immortality.
The Story of Heracles' Labors
The Greek myth of the twelve labours Heracles performed for King Eurystheus, a penance that would earn him immortality.
Chapter 1
The Glory of Hera
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Heracles have to perform the twelve labors?
Heracles performed the labors as a penance. The goddess Hera drove him into a temporary madness, during which he murdered his own children. Seeking purification, he consulted the Oracle at Delphi, who ordered him to serve King Eurystheus for twelve years.
Why did the ten labors become twelve?
King Eurystheus disqualified two of the original ten labors on technicalities. He nullified the killing of the Lernaean Hydra because Heracles received help from his nephew, Iolaus. He also rejected the cleaning of the Augean Stables because Heracles had arranged to be paid for the work.
Did Heracles become a god after the labors?
Yes. The Oracle at Delphi promised Heracles he would be rewarded with immortality if he successfully completed the labors. After finishing the twelfth task and being freed from his service to Eurystheus, he was eventually granted this prize and joined the gods on Mount Olympus.
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