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*In the unrelated Greek myth-laden continuity of the videogame series God Of War, Kevin Sorbo voices the protagonist Kratos' half-brother, Hercules, perhaps as an in-joke. This version of the character is full of bluster, gigantic, armored with empowering artifacts and thoroughly under the thumb of the Gods Of Olympus, with even Hera being able to manipulate him against another hated step-son. When this Hercules faces Kratos, the vicious warrior offers to allow Hercules to depart unharmed, something nearly unheard of in the series, possibly owing to the havoc being Zeus's son inflicted on both their lives. When this is refused, Hercules meets the sort of brutal end most of Kratos' opponents do.
  
*In the unrelated Greek myth-laden continuity of the videogame series God Of War, Kevin Sorbo voices the protagonist Kratos' half-brother, Hercules, perhaps as an in-joke. This version of the character is full of bluster, gigantic, armored with empowering artifacts and thoroughly under the thumb of the Gods Of Olympus, with even Hera being able to manipulate him against another hated step-son. When this Hercules faces Kratos, the vicious warrior offers to allow Hercules to depart unharmed, something nearly unheard of in the series, possibly owing to the havoc being Zeus's son inflicted on both their lives. When this is refused, Hercules meets the sort of brutal end most of Kratos' opponents do.
 
*Unsurprisingly for a late 20th-century production, Hercules is portrayed as being heterosexual, and {{HTLJ}} as a whole contains little [[subtext]]. The mythological Herakles would be considered bisexual or pansexual today, as many mythographers relate that his male lovers were "beyond counting".
  
*Unsurprisingly for a late 20th-century production, Hercules is portrayed as being heterosexual, and {{HTLJ}} as a whole contains little [[subtext]]. The mythological Herakles would be considered bisexual or pansexual today, as many mythographers relate that his male lovers were "beyond counting".
−
*In 2010, SyFy announced the project "Legendary" in which the actor plays a fictional version of himself, approached by a fan to use the strength of his famous character in fighting creatures. Unfortunately the project was dropped.
 +
*In 2010, SyFy announced the project "Legendary" in which the actor Kevin Sorbo plays a fictional version of himself, approached by a fan to use the strength of his famous character in fighting creatures. Unfortunately the project was dropped.
 
*Lead actor Kevin Sorbo himself said in an interview how his character's inconsistencies annoyed him, but he just followed the script, so I don't know if these discrepancies were due to low budget, Hercules' own restraint or more likely carelessness of writers, it is strange that Hercules can compete with beings with supernatural strength, such as gods, giants, exterminators and even after successive blows to the head he maintains consciousness, not to mention that most of the times he comes out unscathed from landslides, and becomes unconscious because of a blow to the head provoked a mortal that technically has less than its semi-divine durability.
  
*Lead actor Kevin Sorbo himself said in an interview how his character's inconsistencies annoyed him, but he just followed the script, so I don't know if these discrepancies were due to low budget, Hercules' own restraint or more likely carelessness of writers, it is strange that Hercules can compete with beings with supernatural strength, such as gods, giants, exterminators and even after successive blows to the head he maintains consciousness, not to mention that most of the times he comes out unscathed from landslides, and becomes unconscious because of a blow to the head provoked a mortal that technically has less than its semi-divine durability.
   

Revision as of 17:47, 16 June 2021

Hercules (Greek: Ἡρακλῆς AKA Herakles) was a legendary Greek hero, the immortal half-god and son of Zeus, King of the Olympians, and the mortal woman Alcmene. Due to his earliest exploits at the Academy, his name would be known throughout the Known World. His parentage and favoritism from his father, Zeus made him a target of hatred by some of the other Olympians, notably Hera and Ares. On the other hand, his heroic deeds and noble labors and saving lives made him the greatest hero for mankind and his legend lived on for centuries throughout the ages. Hercules saved the Earth from certain terror, monsters, and threats on countless occasions. His notable feats include creating the Olympics, joining the Argonauts, stopping Dahak, averting the Apocalypse and living well into the 20th century. Along with his friend Iolaus, he traveled beyond Greece to lands such as Eire, Norseland, Sumeria, Britannia, and Egypt, preventing evil and protecting mortals alike.

History

By his early twenties, Hercules was considered a legendary hero, of which mythology and rumor about him spread throughout the Grecian landscape. Some, such as Iole, believed him to be a hulking figure, several feet taller than he actually was. He was about 6 feet, 3 inches tall and very muscular with golden and brown hair.[13]

Conception, birth and early life

Hercules was the result of a union between the widowed Alcmene and Zeus, King of the Olympians. Zeus took the form of Amphitryon when he appeared to Alcmene that night[42], although they maintained close feelings for years afterwards.[1]

While pregnant with Hercules, Alcmene was nearly killed by a time-travelling Callisto, but saved by the time-travelling Iolaus.[43]

Shortly after Hercules' birth, Hera became aware of his status as Zeus' son and attempted to destroy him with a two-headed snake. The infant Hercules strangled the snake, thwarting Hera's first attempt on his life.[44]

Zeus visited Hercules as an infant[1]Hercules and the Amazon Women, but stopped sometime in his early childhood.[7] He would not visit him again until late in his teenage years, however, he did mention to Hercules as being proud of him and saying he had put alot of thought and love into his creation and birth.[9] Zeus did place a protection order on Hercules, banning any other gods from harming the young Hercules.[7]

From a young age, Hercules was raised on his mother's farm near Thebes. The centaur Ceridian was Hercules' mentor as a youth, teaching him philosophy, medicine, literacy, and talents he would use as a warrior.[45]

Hercules and Iolaus both trained under Echetus in their preteen years, in a male-dominant atmosphere.[1] They would later go their separate ways, Iolaus becoming a thief and member of a gang and Hercules back to his mother's farm. At the age of eighteen, Alcmene enrolled Hercules in Cheiron's Academy.[7]

At the Academy

At the Academy, Hercules met Prince Jason and became friends with his grudging acquaintance, the former thief Iolaus. After several weeks of training, Hercules participated in his first adventure. He accompanied Prince Jason and Iolaus as an Argonaut on the quest for the Golden Fleece.[7]

During his years at the Academy, Hercules went on many adventures with Jason and Iolaus, and other cadets, such as Lilith or Theseus. He ran afoul of the gods Ares, Bacchus, Discord, Strife, and Apollo, multiple times.[46]

Early adventures and family life

After the Academy, Hercules went back to life with his mother. He was soon recruited by Iolaus and Jason into fighting in a war against Parthus. He was able to negotiate a cease fire, ending much of the bloodshed, and gaining fame throughout Corinth.[47]

He gained his first brush with life on Mount Olympus when he ate some ambrosia given to him by Apollo. It was then that he determined most gods to be cruel and the need to live without them.[9]

Around this time, Hercules performed some of his first labors, including slaying the Erymanthian Boar[48] and the Nemean Lion.[13] These labors helped immortalize Hercules in the minds of the populace.[4]

He saved the town of Gargarencia from attack by Amazons[1] and discovered the lost kingdom of Troy[4] before meeting his future wife Deianeira during a time when the Earth was without fire.[49]

With his wife Deianeira, Hercules stopped adventuring, settling down to family life. Years later, he was pulled back into action when a hole to the Underworld was inadvertently opened in a small village.[13] He continued life with his family while also occasionally answering requests for assistance for some time after that.[32]

It was during this peaceful time in Hercules' life that Hera once again attacked. She destroyed his family in a fireball that sent him into a downward spiral for a short time.[50]

Revenge upon Hera

After the death of his family, Hercules briefly took it upon himself to destroy Hera's temples until his friend Iolaus visited and convinced him to honor his family by helping, rather than harming, others. Hercules didn't return home, but instead began wandering the countryside performing good deeds.[50]

He spent much of that first year wandering the countryside alone. Some of his early adventures included:

Another notable incident during this period was Hercules's defeat of the warlord Xena[58], whom he would soon on a road to redemption.[59] This actions dramatically altered the course of history – quite likely for the better – as without Hercules's influence Xena would have brutally conquered and ruled the known world. [43] Instead however, she became as great a champion for good as Hercules himself.

His journeys expanded after he began teaming up with Iolaus again:

Marriage to Serena and aftermath

Hercules met his second love, Serena when he went to Ceryneia to rescue the last of the Golden Hinds. At the time he didn't realize that Serena was, in fact, the Golden Hind in human form, although he suspected and found out soon afterwards. Regardless, Hercules fell in love with her, ending his adventures to settle down in Ceryneia.[68]

After settling down and marrying the now-human Serena, she was viciously murdered by the god Strife, framing Hercules in the process. Despite his name being cleared, Hercules still blamed himself for the entire affair and left Ceryneia, travelling by himself once more.[69] During this time, he helped free the mad King Augeus from the influence of Hera.[70]

With the help of Autolycus and the Kronos Stone, Hercules was able to restore Serena to life by changing the past. He restored her mortality and she would later meet and fall in love with another man. Feeling closure, Hercules left to journey once more with Iolaus.[48][71]

Hercules performed many feats during this time, including:

He was wrongfully put on trial for involuntary manslaughter and sedition ("encouraging rebellion, denying the authority of the government and undermining the authority of the Olympian gods") in Athens and found not guilty.[75] He was also briefly turned into a pig by Discord[10] and negotiated an agreement between his brother King Iphicles and Trojan War veterans.[76]

The banishment of Hera

Following his mother's death, Hercules was approached by Zeus to live on Mount Olympus. He accepted it, before finding out that it was all part of a ploy in picking sides in a war against Hera. Although deceived at first, he later used his powers to defeat Hera and send her down into the Abyss of Tartarus.

Following her banishment, he asked Zeus to lift the order of protection on him, making him fully vulnerable to any direct attacks by other gods.[77]

Although remaining in Greece for a short time, Hercules and Iolaus soon left for Sumeria when he was approached by an emissary of King Gilgamesh. He journeyed to Sumeria on the pretense that he would help them fight back against their "petty gods," but soon discovered he was being used as a tool by Dahak, who killed his friend Iolaus in search of a "warrior heart."[78]

After the death of Iolaus

After Iolaus' death, Hercules immediately ventured into the Sumerian Land of the Dead in an attempt to restore him. This turned out to be impossible and Hercules was resolved to a universe without his friend.[79]

Using the ship of now-Queen Nebula, Hercules sailed to the end of the known world, in the land of Eire where he came across the Druids and the Celts who believed him to be their "Chosen One." He was able to stop the menace of the demigoddess Morrigan by making her the Druid of Justice.[11] He then helped the Celts fight off an attempted invasion by Julius Caesar.[80]

Hercules sailed west from Eire and landed in the Norseland. Although he was at first merely a pawn in Loki (and Dahak)'s scheme, he was able to prevent, or at least postpone, Ragnarok from destroying the Earth.[81][82]

After a brief return to Eire, Hercules and Morrigan traveled back to Sumeria when there was word that Iolaus was not dead. There, he discovered that Dahak had possessed Iolaus' body and they were unable to free the malevolent entity from him before he fled to Greece.[83] Once in Greece, Hercules had to fight off an entire civilization of Dahak followers (including his stepfather Jason) in order to capture Dahak, secure him, and exorcise him with the help of immortal priest Zarathustra.[84] He was able to accomplish this all and Iolaus' spirit ascended into Heaven.[85]

With Iolaus redeemed and ascended, Morrigan leaving[21] and Nebula returning to Sumeria, Hercules was once again alone in his adventures. He helped stop an active volcano with the Amazon Ephiny[86] before he was responsible for restoring the Olympians to the Earth after they had hid from Dahak in the Strange Universe's Earth.[87]

It was in the Reality Nexus Point that Hercules met once more with Iolaus' counterpart, Iolaus II. This Iolaus left with Hercules back into his reality. Hercules talked Iolaus II into remaining partners with stories of his universe's Iolaus.[14]

Along with Iolaus II, Hercules briefly served as headmaster at the Academy before turning over the reigns permanently to Jason.[39] He restored Nautica to her rightful place "warming the sea,"[88] and even ventured all the way to Brittania to help pry it from the harsh rule of a time-lost King Arthur. [89]

Although Iolaus II left the land to live as a merman with Nautica, Hercules wouldn't be alone for long.[90] The regular universe's Iolaus returned from Heaven, temporarily, to warn Hercules that the time of the Apocalypse was occurring. Iolaus and Hercules, with unlikely help from Ares, were able to stop the archangel Michael from unleashing the Four Horsemen and destroying the Earth.[91]

Return of Iolaus and later adventures

For disrupting the apocalypse, Iolaus was stripped of being a Guardian of the Light and consequently restored as a full human being alongside Hercules, who was more than happy at the situation.[91]

Together, Hercules and the restored Iolaus continued doing what they did best. They:

  • Stopped a tactic by the Devil to corrupt them with the release of Xerxos.[92]
  • Foiled Deimos' plan to restore the Kronos Stone.[93]
  • Deposed Creon from his rule on Thebes and placed Antigone as its rightful Queen. [94]
  • Destroyed the Strygoia Vlad and their rule over Dacia.[95]
  • Foiled Ramses plan to use the Necronomicon and take over Egypt.[96]

One of Hercules' major feats in this era, was his destroying of the Titans (Atlas, Helios and Oceanus) that were inadvertently unleashed by the young god, Evander. During this crisis, Hera was restored to Olympus, but gave up her anger at Hercules, ending their long feud and promising a more harmonious Olympus from now on. He and Iolaus briefly retired following the incident, but changed their minds a couple minutes later.[97]


Hercules in The Twilight of the Gods

Zeus is warned by fates that the baby Xena will have will bring about the destruction of the Greek gods, causing the king of the gods to try to kill the baby. Hercules who was looking for Xena and Gabrielle, to congratulate him on the pregnancy, ends up having to fight the Proxidicae, soldiers in Zeus' secret guard, who reveal they are out to kill Xena and her unborn child. Willing to prevent Zeus from killing Xena's baby, Hercules initially tries to convince his father to give up, but Zeus is adamant, wanting to ensure his survival.

Hercules then with no alternative, decides to go after the only remaining object capable of killing a god, Rib of Kronos, being surprisingly helped by Hera, who prevents Ares from killing Hercules and reveals that he also wants to protect Xena's baby, claiming that his war with Hercules was long over. Although suspicious and still holding a grudge, for Hera having killed his family, Hercules accepts his help.

After finding the Rib of Kronos, Hercules and Hera are attacked by Zeus, who Hera decides to fight so that Hercules returns to Xena, to help her and Gabrielle to fight the Proxidicae.

Without knowing that Zeus disintegrated Hera, Hercules fights his own father, while Gabrielle helps Xena to give birth, however the hero ends up being no match for the king of the gods, who manages to subdue him and proceed to eliminate Xena and her child . When Zeus is about to strike Xena, Hercules appears and grabbing Rib of Kronos, impaling Zeus with it, killing his own father.

Visibly shaken by that, Hercules tells Zeus that he didn't need to end up like that, with Zeus claiming Hercules that he never disappointed him, especially at that moment, waiting for him to take his place, so finally looking, for Hercules' pain. After Zeus' death, and the birth of Xena's baby, Hercules, still sad, is comforted by Xena and Gabrielle, while enjoying with both of them, Xena's baby, whose name is Eva.

Hercules, though he no longer appears, probably continued to help people with problems in Greece and did not take Zeus' place on Olympus, as Olympian tradition demanded, with Athena taking command of Olympus. It is not known for certain whether of their own accord or on account of the other gods being against it, since they still wanted to end Xena's baby, most likely it was a little of both, although gods like Ares and Discord, probably not they tried to retaliate against Hercules, now that Zeus was no longer alive, perhaps because dealing with Xena and his daughter was the priority.

Hercules was present when Iolaus died at the age of 100.[5]

Hercules in the modern era

Hercules lived on through the centuries not aging or dying: it is not known if this was a natural side-effect of being a son of Zeus and a powerful half-god or if he had immortality all along.

He was still around in the late 20th century, when he adopted the identity of actor "Kevin Sorbo." As Sorbo, he held behind-the-scenes control over the production of Hercules: The Legendary Journeys, making it reflect the reality of the Age of Heroes.[12][5]

Even as Sorbo, Hercules continued his heroic activities, saving a multitude of Los Angelinos during a devastating earthquake[12] and saving much of the Renaissance Pictures staff during an attack at Camp WannaChucka.[5]

Throughout the centuries, Hercules's rivalry with Ares endured.

Relationships

Friendship and romance

Hercules' personality was seen as congenial and he maintained many close friendships, and a few romantic relationships, over his journeys throughout the ancient Earth.

His closest sister was Aphrodite[15][70][88] His closest god friend was Hephaestus, who also had made his magical gauntlets[88][98][93]

Iolaus

His closest friendship was with Iolaus, who he considered a part of his own family.[27]

As a fellow Corinthian, Iolaus was acquainted with Hercules from their youth. As adolescents, Hercules and Iolaus trained together, vowing to both die as "battlefield heroes."[1]

Shortly after, they grew apart and Iolaus became a member of a gang of thieves. It was while he was a thief that Iolaus decided to join Hercules in attending Cheiron's Academy. Many of Hercules' adventures while attending the Academy were at Iolaus and Jason's side.[7]

Some time shortly after their Academy days, Iolaus perished in a fight with the Amazons of Gargarencia. This was the first major loss in Hercules' life and it affected him tremendously. Combined with the death of Amazon Queen Hippolyta, Hercules was able to convince Zeus that the entire affair was the result of Hera and the events were wiped from history (using the Amazon's special blue candle to actually go back in time), restoring Iolaus.[1]

When Hercules grew distraught over family life, it only took a visit from Iolaus to lift his spirits, something which eased Deianeira. Despite them both having families, they would still occasionally have adventures, such as investigating the minotaur, Gryphus.[32]

Iolaus attempted to put Hercules on the right path after his family was killed. Although he managed to get Hercules to help people once more, most of their early adventuring were apart.[50][22]

The first major hurdle of their friendship came when the Warrior Princess, Xena, was able to coerce Iolaus into fighting Hercules in a ploy to kill him. She nearly succeeded, but they vowed never to let it happen again.[58]

After the Xena incident, they paired up together more, both serving as gladiators[57] and fighting against a plot of Ares[54], before focusing their attention on stopping Xena's army.[59]

When Iolaus was arrested on a false charge of thievery and sentenced to death, Hercules did all he could to get him found innocent, even going so far as to catch the elusive King of Thieves, the actual culprit.[60] Hercules even went so far as to return Iolaus from the dead after he was killed by a second Enforcer of Hera.[6]

Iolaus would return the favor, preventing a time-travelling Callisto from murdering an unborn Hercules.[43]

After Iolaus's ritualistic death in Sumeria, Hercules was unable to restore Iolaus' soul and set out on a journey to the ends of the Earth.[79] When Dahak possessed Iolaus' body and soul, it heavily affected Hercules, who didn't want to see any harm done to his friend.[83] With the help of the priest Zarathustra, and Iolaus' warrior spirit, Hercules was able to exorcise Dahak from his friend and watched painfully as Iolaus ascended to Heaven as a Guardian of the Light.[85]

Iolaus's ascension was still tough on Hercules, although he was helped by the presence of Iolaus II.[14]

Iolaus would return to Hercules to warn him about the upcoming Apocalypse and was consequently returned to mortal form, (when he 'violated' the rules for being a Guardian of Light, his 'punishment' was that he would return to earth and carry on as a mortal) once again journeying alongside his best friend. [91]

Deianeira

Hercules' first wife, Deianeira, helped him restore fire to the Earth.[49]

Together, they married and started a family. They raised three children, Aeson, Klonus, and Ilea. They worked with their stablemaster, Nessus, who was madly in love with Deianeira. When Iole asked for Hercules' help, Nessus used the opportunity to convince Deianeira that he would leave her and persuaded her to give him a cursed cloak, that threw Hercules into the Underworld (she was told it would make him stay in love with her). Because of the despair she felt for having supposedly killed her husband, Deianeira threw herself off of a cliff. She was restored to mortal life when Hercules convinced Hades that her death was unnatural.[13]

They continued their familial bliss until Deianeira and their children were killed by Hera in her ongoing vengeance against Hercules.[50] Hercules was deeply affected by Deianeira's death. He would "talk" to her while walking near his old home[56], his love for her, years later, broke the jealousy spell given to him by Cupid[15] and her name brought back his memories after he suffered from temporary memory loss.[19]

Unlike mortal men, Hercules was able to visit Deianeira and his family in the Underworld, something he did on at least three occassions.[63][6] The last occurrence was to announce his intention to re-marry, something which she did not take very well at first. However, she attended his wedding to Serena in spirit with the children.[8]

Serena

Hercules' second wife was Serena, the last of the Golden Hinds. When he first met her, in mortal form, she claimed to be a healer and follower of Ares. He persuaded her to heal Iolaus, who was sick after being hit with a hind's blood arrow. He fell in love with Serena, even after he discovered she was a Golden Hind.[68]

Together, they were able to free her from the influence of Ares, with both of them becoming full-fledged mortal beings. They married with Iolaus in attendance.[8]

Unfortunately, their wedded bliss did not last after she was killed by Strife. This second tragedy in Hercules' life also took its toll on him. He was mad at Zeus for not reversing the death himself[69] and both Dahak and Sin would use her image to torture Hercules in later situations.[79][92]

With the help of the Kronos Stone, Hercules was able to reverse Serena's death, with the unfortunate side effect of her marrying another man. Getting some closure, Hercules left her alone with her new family along with her being unfamiliar with him.[48]

Awkwardly, Hercules would meet Serena once more, during the events surrounding the second Iolaus's marriage to Nautica.[90]

Jason

Medea culpa 01

Hercules, Iolaus, and Jason

Perhaps Hercules most powerful friend, at least in their younger days, Jason was the Prince and later King of Corinth and Argos. He first met Hercules after he enrolled as a common cadet at Cheiron's Academy. It was on Jason's legendary trip to find the Golden Fleece that Hercules first gained a measure of fame.[7]

At the Academy, Jason was often accompanied by Hercules and Iolaus in their training and vacations. They both participated in the Corinthian Games.[31] Through Jason, Hercules met some of the most powerful Kings and rulers in ancient Greece, such as Leeseus of Athens.[17] Through Hercules, Jason met some of the mythical Gods and Goddesses of Olympus, such as Hephaestus, god of fire.[24]

Even after his coronation, Jason kept in touch with his Academy pals.[99] He would lose touch with Hercules over the years as both men settled down with families. Parallel to each other, they both lost their families due to the machinations of Hera, except Jason dove into alcoholism while Hercules became more of a hero.[65]

With Hercules and Iolaus' help, Jason was restored to royal stature. He would later give up his throne to marry Hercules' mother, Alcmene, making him family, and friend, to the mighty hero.[25] He testified for the defense in Hercules' Athenian trial.[75]

Due to their friendship, Jason was the only one in Greece able to break free from Dahak's spell and aide Hercules in exorcising Iolaus.[84]

Hercules' faith in Jason's ability to rule ultimately helped him make the decision to appoint Jason his successor as headmaster at Cheiron's Academy.[39]

Other romantic relationships

Two men 01

Hercules and Nemesis

Hercules received teasing from his friends for being a virgin well into his late teens. (HTLJ: "Medea Culpa")

While at the Academy, Hercules met a woman named Yvenna, whom he fell in love with. She accompanied him, Jason, and Iolas in their quest to find the Golden Fleece, but was killed in a fight with the giant guarding it, Talos. Hercules later journeyed to her home village to free her people from slavery as a tribute to her memory.[7] Later, he went on his first blind date, with a woman named Tara. A being named Galatea, created by Hephaestus as his date, fell in love with Hercules for a brief period, causing much dismay.[24] Other romances during his academy days included Cyane[100] and Eurydice.[18]

Shortly after his Academy days, he had a relationship with Medea, which nearly broke up his friendship with Jason.[20]

Hercules believed that the Amazon Queen Hippolyta might be his soul mate, but he never pursued her.[1] Princess Deianeira of Troy attempted to start a relationship with Hercules, but he shunned her, urging her to rule her people.[4] While married to his wife Deianeira, Iole attempted to seduce Hercules, despite being in a relationship with Lycastus.[13]

After his family's death, King Thespius sent his fifty daughters to Hercules in the hopes that he would impregnate them. He tried to ditch them at every turn.[51] Although he hoped Salmoneus would keep the daughters at bay, they later attempted to seduce Hercules again at his mother's wedding.[25]

Nemesis, a goddess who worked as Hera's enforcer, was another close relationship of Hercules', having met her in his youth.[22] Due to her feelings for Hercules, Hera made Nemesis a mortal. Although Hercules wanted to remain with the now-mortal Nemesis, she wished to remain alone and let Hercules continue his adventures.[62] She returned with a baby some time later and told Hercules it was his, although it turned out to be Ares'.[101]

Xena's friendship with Hercules bordered on the romantic side. She held strong feelings of love for Hercules after he helped redeem her, so much that she cried at having to go on her own journey. Hercules one time even considered that Xena was his soul mate.[59] Gabrielle believed that Hercules and Xena would've been a good relationship.[102]

Hercules fell madly in love with Psyche after being hit by one of Cupid's arrows, but was able to shrug it off with memories of his love for Deianeira.[15]

Atalanta had unrequited love for Hercules, so much so that she created a double with help of Hephaestus.[103]

Morrigan, like Hercules, was a half-god. She was originally a nemesis of Hercules during his journey to Eire when he was shaken by the death of Iolaus and had lost faith in himself[79], but he was able to redeem her, installing her as the Druid of Justice.[11] He freed her from Kernunnos' influence before sailing off briefly to the Norselands.[80] She accompanied Hercules on his journey back to Sumeria and Greece, fighting against Dahak's influence. It was in Cyprus that she left him. She decided that if they remained in Greece, she would be unable to fulfill her duties as a Druid, and if they lived in Eire, he wouldn't be able to be the Greeks' hero. She would later return from Eire and explain her reasoning to a saddened Hercules.[21] Hercules again fought alongside Morrigan on a journey to Brittania, not as romantic partners, but as good friends.[89]

Powers and Abilities

As a demi-god and the son of Zeus, Hercules possessed great powers and his powers seemed much more potent than other demi-gods. This could be due to him being a direct child of the king of the Olympians. His primary power was his superhuman strength. He was variously described as having the strength of fifty, a hundred, a thousand or even a million men.[22][20][101][104][9]. He was known as the "Strongest Man in the World" and he lived up to this title many times. He also possessed great superhuman stamina, superhuman strength (that can send people flying), senses, resilience, agility, reflexes, and regeneration, as wounds and scars on him healed completely within hours to minutes. He possessed a high immunity to disease, poison, viruses and magic, and being able to withstand almost any attack.[81][82][72][19][84]. He possessed great superhuman dexterity and accuracy with anything he did whether it was shooting a bow and arrow[66], catching an arrow, fighting, fishing, playing a guitar or dancing[105][63][103][70][14][97]. Blindness did not really deter these abilities either, as Hercules honed his senses by learning to fight blind-folded.[55][7]

Being half god, Hercules was able to immediately see, hear and touch gods in his immediate vicinity, even when they were invisible and intangible to mortals. Although some gods were able to mask their presence from Hercules, it required extra effort on their part. There may be an element of practice required for this sense, as Hercules was unable to detect the presence of gods when he was younger, and Xena, after enough exposure to them, was able to sense the presence of Ares and Aphrodite even though she had no divine ancestry.

His wisdom, charms and passion was known far and wide, which Hercules attributed to his mortal mother Alcmene rather than Zeus.[22][90][93][9]. Callisto posited he would have to be as smart as he is strong to solve a temporal riddle, the requirement for passage through the Labyrinth of the Gods to the Tree of Life, which he accomplished.[67] Iolaus had noted he was always right, prompting Hercules to say it was a "half-god thing," with Iolaus using the same reasoning regarding Hercules' obscure knowledge.[106][73][91][96] Hercules even believed the Earth to be round and devised a heliocentric model as a self-proclaimed genius.[42][78][97] He was talented in smithing, forging a knife with the help of Iolaus, whom deemed it perfect.[58]

Hercules learned, from the Druids, how to tap into the natural power of Eire to gain superhuman speed.[11][80] He was unable to use this ability away from the island, however. Hercules struggled with his mortal side throughout much of his life as a god-like strongman and attacks did seem to hurt him, thought not as severe as ordinary human beings. He was always uncertain as to whether he could be killed like a mortal man, as this was impossible to test. His own father, Zeus, told him that he was mortal, but it is clear Zeus was not telling the truth or wasn't sure himself.[13][63][64] It seems, with his existence into the 20th Century and not aging for over five thousand years he had immortality all along.[12][5] It took the hind's blood dagger, used to kill some of the other gods, to kill Hercules's Strange Reality evil counterpart, the Sovereign.[87]

Godhood

Hercules gained full godhood on two occasions. The first was as a young man, shortly after his days at the Academy. He was given ambrosia by the god Apollo, but his godhood was disapproved of by Zeus. He later had his half-god status returned after he realized how cruel and uncaring some of the gods could be.[9] As a full god, Hercules was indestructible and extremely powerful and strong as only someone like Zeus could overpower him. He also possessed healing, regeneration, conjuring, telekinesis, magical shielding, invisibility, teleportation, and fire throwing powers.[77]

It was likely during this time that Hercules and the other gods mocked Proteus.[107]

Shortly after Hercules' mother's death, he was granted godhood by Zeus, to have him on his side and in order to assist in a war against Hera. But he got rid of his full power after banishing Hera, in order to return to his half-god self "how the Fates working for Zeus made (him)".[9][77]

Mortality

Hercules gave up the powers granted to him by his god blood on one occasion.[8] When he wished to marry Serena, who was under Ares protection, Hercules gave up his powers and had a tough time adjusting to mortal life. His supernatural strength and powers were returned by Zeus after he discovered Ares reneged on his bargain to make sure Hercules had a happy marriage.[69]

Legacy

Cyrus and Oi-Lan, two former slaves freed by Hercules, promised to name their first son after him.[56]

Tales of Hercules were told even in his own time. They would be used to inspire heroes as late as the 18th century[108] and would even help inspire the television series Hercules: The Legendary Journeys.[12]

Gallery

For all images tagged with Hercules on this wiki, see Category:Hercules images

As Portrayed by Kevin Sorbo

As Portrayed by Ian Bohen

As Portrayed by Ryan Gosling

Other portrayals

Costume Designs

Background Information

  • Hercules, as a grown adult, was portrayed by Kevin Sorbo in all appearances. Sorbo also provided the voice for Hercules in Hercules and Xena - The Animated Movie: The Battle for Mt. Olympus.
  • "Hercules" in fact the Roman version of the Greek Herakles. In modern times, the Roman version is more recognizable. Other characters following this convention are Bacchus, Cupid, Discord, Fortune, and Ulysses.
  • In Greek mythology, Herakles was regarded as the greatest hero of all, and was outright worshipped as a god by some Greeks, to the scandal of others. His name means "Hera's glory", a desperate attempt to placate the goddess's wrath. One version holds that his powers weren't the inherent result of his divine parentage, but the result of Hera briefly nursing him from her own breast as a baby. The same incident led to the creation and naming of the Milky Way in the heavens, and gave us the word "galaxy" (from the Greek word for "milky").
  • In Roman mythology, Hercules's story was much the same, but the Romans had no qualms about worshipping him. The later emperors of Rome strongly identified with him as a patron.
  • Tales of Herakles date back to oral traditions from at least the 8th century BCE, purportedly relating events that occurred somewhere between the 12th and 10th centuries BCE. Most Xenaverse productions are eventually established as taking place in a fantastical version of the 1st century BCE.
  • In the unrelated Greek myth-laden continuity of the videogame series God Of War, Kevin Sorbo voices the protagonist Kratos' half-brother, Hercules, perhaps as an in-joke. This version of the character is full of bluster, gigantic, armored with empowering artifacts and thoroughly under the thumb of the Gods Of Olympus, with even Hera being able to manipulate him against another hated step-son. When this Hercules faces Kratos, the vicious warrior offers to allow Hercules to depart unharmed, something nearly unheard of in the series, possibly owing to the havoc being Zeus's son inflicted on both their lives. When this is refused, Hercules meets the sort of brutal end most of Kratos' opponents do.
  • Unsurprisingly for a late 20th-century production, Hercules is portrayed as being heterosexual, and Hercules: The Legendary Journeys as a whole contains little subtext. The mythological Herakles would be considered bisexual or pansexual today, as many mythographers relate that his male lovers were "beyond counting".
  • In 2010, SyFy announced the project "Legendary" in which the actor Kevin Sorbo plays a fictional version of himself, approached by a fan to use the strength of his famous character in fighting creatures. Unfortunately the project was dropped.
  • Lead actor Kevin Sorbo himself said in an interview how his character's inconsistencies annoyed him, but he just followed the script, so I don't know if these discrepancies were due to low budget, Hercules' own restraint or more likely carelessness of writers, it is strange that Hercules can compete with beings with supernatural strength, such as gods, giants, exterminators and even after successive blows to the head he maintains consciousness, not to mention that most of the times he comes out unscathed from landslides, and becomes unconscious because of a blow to the head provoked a mortal that technically has less than its semi-divine durability.

Notable kills

Appearances

Hercules has more appearances than any other character in the Xenaverse with 169 canonical appearances across three shows and six movies (not counting the animated one). He has appeared in a total of eight seasons across three shows. A full list of appearances can be found here.

Mentions and References

Hercules: The Legendary Journeys

  1. "Love Takes a Holiday" (mentioned)
  2. "The Lost City" (mentioned)

References

  1. ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 1.15 1.16 1.17 1.18 Hercules and the Amazon Women
  2. ↑ YH: "The Treasure of Zeus: Part 1"
  3. ↑ HTLJ: "Regrets... I've Had a Few"
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Hercules and the Lost Kingdom
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 HTLJ: "For Those of You Just Joining Us"
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 HTLJ: "Not Fade Away"
  7. ↑ 7.00 7.01 7.02 7.03 7.04 7.05 7.06 7.07 7.08 7.09 7.10 7.11 Young Hercules
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 8.5 8.6 HTLJ: "When a Man Loves a Woman"
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 9.5 9.6 9.7 9.8 HTLJ: "Top God"
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 HTLJ: "Porkules"
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 HTLJ: "Resurrection"
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 12.4 12.5 HTLJ: "Yes, Virginia, There is a Hercules"
  13. ↑ 13.00 13.01 13.02 13.03 13.04 13.05 13.06 13.07 13.08 13.09 13.10 Hercules in the Underworld
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 14.3 HTLJ: "Just Passing Through"
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 15.3 HTLJ: "The Green-Eyed Monster"
  16. ↑ XWP comic: "The Marriage of Hercules and Xena"
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 YH: "Amazon Grace"
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 YH: "Lure of the Lyre"
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 19.2 19.3 HTLJ: "Prince Hercules"
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 20.2 HTLJ: "Medea Culpa"
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 21.2 HTLJ: "We'll Always Have Cyprus"
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 22.2 22.3 22.4 HTLJ: "Pride Comes Before a Brawl"
  23. ↑ HTLJ: "Heedless Hearts"
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 24.2 YH: "Cyrano de Hercules"
  25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 25.2 25.3 HTLJ: "The Wedding of Alcmene"
  26. ↑ RPG: Secrets of the Ancient World
  27. ↑ 27.0 27.1 HTLJ: "What's in a Name?"
  28. ↑ 28.0 28.1 HTLJ: "Ares"
  29. ↑ YH: "Lure of the Lyre"
  30. ↑ 30.0 30.1 XWP: "Punch Lines"
  31. ↑ 31.0 31.1 31.2 YH: "Winner Take All"
  32. ↑ 32.0 32.1 32.2 Hercules in the Maze of the Minotaur
  33. ↑ YH: "Down and Out in Academy Hills"
  34. ↑ 34.0 34.1 YH: "Mommy Dearests"
  35. ↑ 35.0 35.1 XWP comic: "Revenge of the Gorgons"
  36. ↑ 36.0 36.1 XWP: "Beware Greeks Bearing Gifts"
  37. ↑ 37.0 37.1 37.2 37.3 37.4 HTLJ: "The Apple"
  38. ↑ XWP novel: Go Quest, Young Man
  39. ↑ 39.0 39.1 39.2 HTLJ: "The Academy"
  40. ↑ 40.0 40.1 40.2 XWP: "God Fearing Child"
  41. ↑ XWP comic: "The Way We Were"
  42. ↑ 42.0 42.1 HTLJ: "Armageddon Now"
  43. ↑ 43.0 43.1 43.2 HTLJ: "Armageddon Now Part 2"
  44. ↑ 44.0 44.1 44.2 Hercules and Xena - The Animated Movie: The Battle for Mt. Olympus
  45. ↑ HTLJ: "Centaur Mentor Journey"
  46. ↑ Young Hercules
  47. ↑ HTLJ: "Twilight"
  48. ↑ 48.0 48.1 48.2 HTLJ: "The End of the Beginning"
  49. ↑ 49.0 49.1 Hercules and the Circle of Fire
  50. ↑ 50.0 50.1 50.2 50.3 HTLJ: "The Wrong Path"
  51. ↑ 51.0 51.1 HTLJ: "Eye of the Beholder"
  52. ↑ HTLJ: "The Road to Calydon"
  53. ↑ HTLJ: "The Festival of Dionysus"
  54. ↑ 54.0 54.1 HTLJ: "The Vanishing Dead"
  55. ↑ 55.0 55.1 HTLJ: "As Darkness Falls"
  56. ↑ 56.0 56.1 56.2 HTLJ: "The March to Freedom"
  57. ↑ 57.0 57.1 HTLJ: "Gladiator"
  58. ↑ 58.0 58.1 58.2 HTLJ: "The Warrior Princess"
  59. ↑ 59.0 59.1 59.2 HTLJ: "Unchained Heart"
  60. ↑ 60.0 60.1 HTLJ: "The King of Thieves"
  61. ↑ HTLJ: "The Mother of All Monsters"
  62. ↑ 62.0 62.1 HTLJ: "The Enforcer"
  63. ↑ 63.0 63.1 63.2 63.3 HTLJ: "The Other Side"
  64. ↑ 64.0 64.1 HTLJ: "Highway to Hades"
  65. ↑ 65.0 65.1 HTLJ: "Once a Hero"
  66. ↑ 66.0 66.1 HTLJ: "Let the Games Begin"
  67. ↑ 67.0 67.1 HTLJ: "Surprise"
  68. ↑ 68.0 68.1 HTLJ: "Encounter"
  69. ↑ 69.0 69.1 69.2 HTLJ: "Judgment Day"
  70. ↑ 70.0 70.1 70.2 HTLJ: "Reign of Terror"
  71. ↑ HTLJ: "War Bride"
  72. ↑ 72.0 72.1 72.2 HTLJ: "Atlantis"
  73. ↑ 73.0 73.1 HTLJ: "Web of Desire"
  74. ↑ HTLJ: "Stranger in a Strange World"
  75. ↑ 75.0 75.1 HTLJ: "Hercules on Trial"
  76. ↑ HTLJ: "War Wounds"
  77. ↑ 77.0 77.1 77.2 77.3 77.4 HTLJ: "Reunions"
  78. ↑ 78.0 78.1 HTLJ: "Faith"
  79. ↑ 79.0 79.1 79.2 79.3 HTLJ: "Descent"
  80. ↑ 80.0 80.1 80.2 HTLJ: "Render Unto Caesar"
  81. ↑ 81.0 81.1 HTLJ: "Norse By Norsevest"
  82. ↑ 82.0 82.1 HTLJ: "Somewhere Over the Rainbow Bridge"
  83. ↑ 83.0 83.1 HTLJ: "Darkness Rising"
  84. ↑ 84.0 84.1 84.2 HTLJ: "Let There Be Light"
  85. ↑ 85.0 85.1 HTLJ: "Redemption"
  86. ↑ HTLJ: "Sky High"
  87. ↑ 87.0 87.1 HTLJ: "Stranger and Stranger"
  88. ↑ 88.0 88.1 88.2 HTLJ: "Love on the Rocks"
  89. ↑ 89.0 89.1 HTLJ: "Once Upon a Future King"
  90. ↑ 90.0 90.1 90.2 HTLJ: "My Best Girl's Wedding"
  91. ↑ 91.0 91.1 91.2 91.3 HTLJ: "Revelations"
  92. ↑ 92.0 92.1 HTLJ: "Be Deviled"
  93. ↑ 93.0 93.1 93.2 HTLJ: "Love, Amazon Style"
  94. ↑ HTLJ: "Rebel With a Cause"
  95. ↑ HTLJ: "Darkness Visible"
  96. ↑ 96.0 96.1 HTLJ: "City of the Dead"
  97. ↑ 97.0 97.1 97.2 HTLJ: "Full Circle"
  98. ↑ HTLJ: "Love Takes a Holiday"
  99. ↑ YH: "The Head That Wears the Crown"
  100. ↑ YH: "Girl Trouble"
  101. ↑ 101.0 101.1 HTLJ: "Two Men and a Baby"
  102. ↑ 102.0 102.1 XWP: "Prometheus"
  103. ↑ 103.0 103.1 HTLJ: "If I Had a Hammer"
  104. ↑ HTLJ: "A Rock and a Hard Place"
  105. ↑ 105.0 105.1 HTLJ: "...And Fancy Free"
  106. ↑ HTLJ: "The Sword of Veracity"
  107. ↑ HTLJ: "Protean Challenge"
  108. ↑ HTLJ: "Les Contemptibles"
  109. ↑ HTLJ: "All That Glitters"
  110. ↑ HTLJ: "The Fire Down Below"
  111. ↑ HTLJ: "Beanstalks and Bad Eggs"
  112. ↑ Promotional Image

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