Foundation Stories : The Birth Of Heracles Flashcards
Who were Heracles parents
Mother : Alcmene (mortal)
Father : Zeus (came in the form of Alcmene’s husband Amphitryon)
What happened to Alene on the same night
Alcmene also convinced a son with the real Amphitryon which resulted in her having twins : one mortal and one divine.
What did Zeus boast and what did Hera do after that
Zeus boasted that his son would rule the earth just like how he ruled the heavens. Hera then made Zeus vow that the first son born in the house of Perseus would rule
What did Hera ask her daughter, Eileithyia (goddess of childbirth) to do
She told her to prolong Alcmene’s labour so that the babies would die in the womb. Eileithiya sat cross-legged over Alcmene.
What happened on the same night of Alcmene’s prolonged labour
The wife of king sthenulus was also pregnant. Hera caused her to give birth early giving birth to Eurystheus, Heracles cousin and future king of Mycenae .
How did the twins survive
Alcmene’s maid tricked the goddess making her uncross her legs allowing Alcmene to give birth.
Who was Heracles twin
Iphicles
What did Hera do after Heracles was born
Still determined to kill Heracles she sent snakes to their cot however Heracles strangled them
What was Heracles birth name and why was it changed
His birth name was Alcides he was then renamed to Heracles (meaning ‘glory of Athena’) in an attempt to appease the queen
What did Alcmene do to Heracles
Frightened from Hera’s hate, Alcmene abandoned Heracles in the woods where Athen found him
What did Athena do to Hercules
She bought him to mount Olympus placing him on sleeping Hera for him to feed on her milk for divine strength. Hera felt the tug and pushed the baby away causing the milk to splatter creating the Milky Way
What Athena become to Heracles
She became his protector and returned him to his mortal parents.
