Andrew Weegberg: Greek Mythology Research

Introduction

Hello fellow bloggers. This is my second installment on this blog site. Unfortunately I am writing under a slightly different blog name as I had some technical difficulties with my last account. There is no need to stress as all the blogs have been put up on this new blog page. I have also added most if not all of the followers from the previous account. If I have missed anyone I do apologise but don’t hesitate to follow me.

This blog is all about Greek mythology and more importantly the Greek god Hercules. If you are like me and grew up in 90’s you would probably associate Hercules with the Kevin Sorbo television series and the Disney movie.

The aim of this blog is to look past those initial images and tell you the things that I have found out during my research for a current assignment.

So with out any further delay here it goes.

Hercules

Appearance

In his early years Hercules was a strong young man with a clean shaven face and black curly hair. He is also depicted later on with a full black beard. He always appears as a man with great strength.

History

Hercules has been depicted throughout history on many Greek artifacts. Entire walls of temples have Hercules image on it along with a vast collection Greek pottery such as vase’s, urns and pots. Some of Hercules depictions can been seen by clicking on the links below.

http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/Herakles/lion.html

Adventures

When it comes to stories about Hercules there are many famous stories and have become legends as they were passed down through the generations.

Hercules the son of Zeus was born and it immediately attracted attention from the other gods. When news reached the god Juno she sent out two large serpents with poisonous fangs to kill the baby Hercules. The two serpents crept into the palace and searched for their target. Just as the serpents were about to deal their final blow and kill the child. Hercules grabbed the serpents in each hand by the neck and killed the serpents there on the spot. This is the earliest depiction of how much strength Hercules possessed and was the start of the Legend

Perhaps one of the most famous stories about Hercules is the time Hercules lost his mind to the god Hera who possessed him into a wild fit of rage. During this violent temper it is said that Hercules killed his wife and two children by throwing them into a fire.

When the rage ended Hercules was filled with guilt and great sadness and sort guidance from the god Apollo. His punishment for this violent act was twelve years labor serving Eurystheus. As part of his punishment he would have to perform twelve labors each task more impossible that the previous. Hercules completed each and every one of the tasks and became a hero because of it.

Hercules continued on many great adventures and completed a variety of tasks including saving the princess of Troy. All of these adventures continued to ass to the legend that was Hercules.

Relationships

Its written in many stories and documents that Hercules was a bit of a ladies man and had many numerous women at various points in his life. The significant relationships came in the form of two marriages. The first marriage was to

Megara who he had two children. Who he killed in a fit of rage. The second marriage was much later on to Hebe, Olympian goddess of health.

Symbols

Hercules is constantly depicted holding his iconic club. Which he carried into many battles.

Other document depict him wearing a lion skin into battle. It is said that Hercules had another symbol in the form of a magic bow and arrow this was a symbol of his sovereignty.

Evolution

There has been many film and television adaptations of Hercules. One of the more popular adaptations was the TV series Hercules: The legendary journeys starring Kevin Sorbo. The series gained a cult following and ran from 1995 to 1998.

Perhaps on of the most popular adaptation was the 1998 Disney film. The movie depicted a very cheerful, clean shaven mischievious Hercules who had incredible strength. The image of Hercules was changed dramatically to suit the children audience.

http://www.tripletsandus.com/disney/hercules.htm

The movie was so successful for Disney they later turned it in to a childrens television series which ran until 2008.

List of sports

Possible sports that Hercules could be used to symbolise

· Weightlifting (because of his strength)

· Hunting (because he always carried a club)

· Wrestling (because he was a fighter)

· Archery (because he had a magic bow and arrow)

· Fencing (because he is depicted with a sword)

· Wood-chopping (because it is a demonstration of strength)

Bibliography

Books