Hercules is a divine Roman hero (often compared with the Greek Heracles). He was the son of the God Jupiter and the mortal woman Alcmena, and although he was considered mortal, he was very much worshipped as a God.
There are two main myths surrounding his birth. In one, the Goddess Juno sent two witches to try and prevent his birth, but they were tricked by Alcmena's servant. Juno then sent two serpents to kill the young babe, but Hercules strangled them both in his cradle. In the second version, Alcmena leaves Hercules in the woods to try and hide him from Juno, where he is found by the Goddess Minerva. She takes him to Juno, telling her that he is just an orphan who was left in the woods. However, eventually Juno returns the child to Minerva, telling her to raise the child herself. Minerva feeds the child Hercules from her own bosom, which further imbues him with strength and power.
Hercules was a protector of the weak, and a hero of great strength who embarked on a series of challenges and adventures. Whilst many of these are similar to the tales told of the Greek Heracles, there is at least one tale which is specifically Roman. In this tale, the fire breathing giant Cacus, son of Vulcan, was terrorising the Aventine Hill, before Rome's founding. Hercules battled the giant and eventually overcame him.
There are two main myths surrounding his birth. In one, the Goddess Juno sent two witches to try and prevent his birth, but they were tricked by Alcmena's servant. Juno then sent two serpents to kill the young babe, but Hercules strangled them both in his cradle. In the second version, Alcmena leaves Hercules in the woods to try and hide him from Juno, where he is found by the Goddess Minerva. She takes him to Juno, telling her that he is just an orphan who was left in the woods. However, eventually Juno returns the child to Minerva, telling her to raise the child herself. Minerva feeds the child Hercules from her own bosom, which further imbues him with strength and power.
Hercules was a protector of the weak, and a hero of great strength who embarked on a series of challenges and adventures. Whilst many of these are similar to the tales told of the Greek Heracles, there is at least one tale which is specifically Roman. In this tale, the fire breathing giant Cacus, son of Vulcan, was terrorising the Aventine Hill, before Rome's founding. Hercules battled the giant and eventually overcame him.
The Roman politician and general Mark Antony considered Hercules a personal patron God, as did the emperor Commodus. Evidence of worship of him has been found from the Iberian Peninsula, through to Gaul. In fact, the Germanic peoples' seemed to have a particular affinity for him, and the Roman historian Tacitus wrote that Hercules even visited them and joined them in battle.
Amongst the historical evidence relating to Hercules, there is the 'Hercules' Club', an amulet mostly made of gold and shaped like a club, statues of him, and several different coins. In regards to his cult, it is debated whether women were permitted to worship him or not.
He was also considered a deity of children and childbirth, in part because of the own myths surrounding his birth, and also because it was said that he fathered countless children himself.
Hercules is a great deity for those wanting a masculine energy to bring them strength, bravery, and help them overcome any obstacles and challenges that they may be facing. Physical acts and feats (such as hitting the gym or going for a run) are a great way to help connect with this energy, as are dedicating acts of kindness to this deity.
Amongst the historical evidence relating to Hercules, there is the 'Hercules' Club', an amulet mostly made of gold and shaped like a club, statues of him, and several different coins. In regards to his cult, it is debated whether women were permitted to worship him or not.
He was also considered a deity of children and childbirth, in part because of the own myths surrounding his birth, and also because it was said that he fathered countless children himself.
Hercules is a great deity for those wanting a masculine energy to bring them strength, bravery, and help them overcome any obstacles and challenges that they may be facing. Physical acts and feats (such as hitting the gym or going for a run) are a great way to help connect with this energy, as are dedicating acts of kindness to this deity.
