The mythological hero Hercules (or Herakles) was famed for his great strength and endurance and celebrated as an extraordinary mortal who, through success in seemingly impossible labors, won his immortal place amongst the Olympian gods. Being the greatest of Greek mythological heroes, he has been ascribed a multitude of adventures and heroic exploits over the centuries which were probably originally connected to lesser, more local figures. In mythology it was Zeus who lay with Alkmene and so fathered Hercules, explaining the origin of Hercules' great strength. Hera, the wife of Zeus, was (understandably) always jealous of Hercules and made life difficult for him from an early age. The goddess delayed his birth so that his cousin Eurystheus would be born first and so become the ruler of Greece according to Zeus' decree. Hera also sent two snakes to kill the newborn Hercules, but the baby easily strangled them. Hercules enjoyed divine favour from the Olympian gods and he was particularly favoured by Athena. Ercole Farnese, Napoli, Museo Archeologico Nazionale.

18kt Gold-plated Bronze