Hercules
From God of War Wiki
[edit] Greek Mythology
In Greek mythology, Hercules was the Roman name for the hero Heracles (Ἡρακλῆς), who was the first Demigod son of Zeus and the mortal Alcmene, foster son of Amphitryon and great grandson (and half-brother) of Perseus and Kratos. He was considered to be the greatest and strongest of all Greek heroes and a champion of Olympus. He was gifted with godly Super Strength and Super Agility, courage, stamina, ingenuity, beauty, and durability. he was also possibly Immortal had Regenration and a High Resistance to most normal magical and mortal attacks. Although he was not as clever as the heroes Odysseus or Nestor, Heracles used his wits on several occasions when his strength was not sufficient. Together with Hermes he was the patron and protector of gymnasia and palaestrae. He was usually depicted wearing a lion skin and holding a club, famous weapons used during his labors. Although he was a fierce warrior, these qualities did not prevent him from being regarded as a playful figure that used games to relax from his labors and played a great deal with children.
By conquering the many dangerous archaic forces he was said to have made the world a safer place for mankind. Heracles was a very passionate and emotional character, capable of doing both great deeds for his associates and being a terrible enemy who would wreak horrible vengeance on those who crossed him.
According to the myth of Heracles, Hera, wife of Zeus, had incredible hatred towards him because of Zeus’ unfaithfulness towards her. Heracles’ twin mortal brother, the son of Amphitryon, was Iphicles, the father of Heracles’ charioteer Iolaus. On the night the twins were born, Hera, knowing of Zeus’ adultery, persuaded him to swear an oath that the child born a member of the House of Perseus would be High King. Hera knew that while Heracles was to be born a descendant of Perseus, so too was Eurystheus. Eurystheus was born first due to the fact that Hera forced Ilithyia, goddess of childbirth, to slow down the birth of Heracles by trapping him in the womb. Heracles would have been prematurely born delayed, had not Hera been tricked by Galanthis, Alcmene’s servant, who said Alcmene had already delivered the baby.
This allowed the twins to be born, Heracles and Iphicles. Originally, Heracles was named Alcides by his parents. It was only later that he was named Heracles in an unsuccessful attempt to mollify Hera. A few months after Heracles was born, Hera sent two serpants to kill him as he lay in his cot. However, he throttled the snakes in each hand and was found by his nurse playing with their limp bodies as if they were child’s toys.
When Heracles became an adult, he married King Creon’s daughter Megara in Thebes. In a fit of madness caused by Hera, Heracles killed his children and Megara. After realizing what he had done, he fled to the Oracle of Delphi, a servant of Hera. He was directed by the Oracle to serve King Eurystheus for 10 years and perform any task commanded. King Eurystheus decided to give Heracles 10 labors but after completing them he said Heracles cheated and gave him two more, resulting in the most famous story of the hero – the Twelve Labors of Heracles.
These labors included killing the Nemean lion; destroying the Lernaean Hydra; capturing the Ceryneian Hind; capturing the Erymanthian Boar; cleaning the Augean Stables; getting rid of the Stymphalian Birds; capturing the Cretan Bull; rounding up the Mares of Diomedes; stealing the Girdle of Hippolyte, queen of the Amazons; herding the Cattle of Geryon; fetching the Apples of Hesperides; and capturing Cerberus.
Hercules is considered the ancestor of the Spartans and the royal family of Sparta. Hercules was made a full God by Zeus after he left his mortal body and went to live on Olympus according to Greek Legend.
[edit] In the God of War Series
Some of Kratos' moves with the Blades of Chaos are named after Hercules (Spirit of Hercules, Valor of Hercules, and Might of Hercules). There is also a bonus costume of Hercules that can be unlocked in God of War II. He is also the half older brother of Kratos and ancestor of the Spartans.
A slight similarity is shared between Hercules and Kratos. Both warriors mercilessly killed their wife and children under the influence of gods (Hera for Hercules; Ares for Kratos), having been forced to serve Olympus for redemption. Both are also demigods, being the sons of Zeus. Rage is also uncontrollable, leading to moments where they become blinded by bloodlust.
