The Universal Hero: Heracles/Hercules

This topic looks at the myths associated with Heracles (known to the Romans as Hercules) and how he is typically represented:

Greece

Heracles and Olympia:
Heracles as founder of the Olympic games

The 12 Labours of Heracles as represented on The Temple of Zeus at Olympia

Homeric Hymn to Heracles, the Lion Hearted

Rome

Hercules in Ovid and Virgil:
the myth of Hercules and Cacus, and Hercules as protector of Rome

battles with Achelous and Nessus, and the death of Hercules