Heracles Birth & Early life (Greek) Flashcards
What was Heracles the founder of?
the Olympic games
What type of games were the original Olympic games?
religious
When were the Olympic games founded?
776BC
What type of child was Heracles?
a bastard child
what is a bastard child?
a child born out of wedlock
Who were Heracles’ parents?
Zeus and Alcmene
TRUE OR FALSE
Alcmene was an immortal.
False Alcmene was a mortal
What does Heracles mean?
‘Glory of Hera’
Who was Heracles’ step-father?
Amphitryon
Where was Heracles born?
Thebes
Why was Heracles named Heracles?
In order for his mother Alcmene to try and please the Goddess Hera
What house is Heracles from?
The house of Perseus
Where was Amphitryon when Zeus got Alcmene pregnant?
away on a campaign with the King of Thebes
How was Zeus able to trick Alcmene into sleeping with him?
by disguising himself as Amphitryon.
How did Amphitryon find out about Zeus and Alcmene?
through a Seer
How did Amphitryon react when he found out that Alcmene had slept with Zeus?
he was relived and did not punish her
What happened to Alcmene after sleeping with both Zeus and her husband?
she became pregnant with two children
What were the two children Alcmene had named?
Heracles and Iphicles
How did Hera react to Zeus impregnating Alcmene?
She was very Angry at Zeus for his promiscuities
What did Hera make Zeus vow?
the first son of the house of Perseus would rule Mycenae
What did Zeus boast about?
that he would have his son ruling on earth while he ruled the sky and underworld.
What did Hera want to stop?
Heracles from becoming the king of Mycenae
Who did Hera send to Alcmene?
Eileithyia
What is Eileithyia the Goddess of ?
midwives and Childbirth
What did Eileithyia do to Alcmene?
sit on her belly prolonging her pregnancy
What did Hera want to achieve by sending Eileithyia to Alcmene?
She wanted Alcmene and her children to die.
Who was the first son born in the house of Perseus?
Eurystheus
What did Hera do when her first plan failed?
she sent two snakes to the brothers
How did Hera’s 2nd plan turn out?
it failed, Heracles killed both snakes by strangling them
Why does Alcmene leave Heracles alone in the woods?
she is terrified of Hera’s wrath
Which God found Heracles in the woods?
Athena
Where does Athena take Heracles?
Olympus
Who does Athena give Heracles to?
Hera
What does Hera not realise about Heracles whilst breastfeeding him?
that he is Zeus’ child with Alcmene
What does Hera do with Heracles when he ends up in Olympia?
breastfeed him
How did Heracles get his strength?
from Hera’s breastmilk
What caused the milky way?
Heracles biting Hera breast which made milk flow into the universe
Which God favoured and was the protector of Heracles?
Athena
Why did Athena favour Heracles?
-because she related to him (Zeus’ child but not Hera’s)
Who was Heracles’ first wife?
Megara
TRUE OR FALSE
Heracles had no children with his first wife.
False
What is a Kylix?
a drinking cup with 2 handles
What did Hera send Heracles after he married his first wife?
madness
What did Heracles do after receiving what Hera sent him?
he frenzied and killed his wife and children
How did Heracles feel after coming back to his senses?
he felt disgusted in himself
Where did he go to try find redemption?
The Oracle at Delphi
Who controlled the Oracle of Delphi?
Hera
What was Heracles told to do at the Oracle?
to go see his cousin King Eurystheus
What did King Eurystheus send him on?
the 12 labours
What were the labours?
a form of punishment for Heracles.
