Heracles’ first wife was a woman named Megara. Despite his failings, Heracles was promoted to the ranks of the gods after his death. He was hot-tempered, violent, and lustful, and these characteristics contributed to his struggles as much as Hera’s hatred did. Heracles, like the other heroes of ancient Greece, was not without his flaws. Through these labors as well as his many other exploits, Heracles became known as a champion of civilization and a slayer of monsters. Of all Heracles’ heroic deeds, the most important were the Twelve Labors, which the hero was forced to perform for his cousin Eurystheus, the High King of Mycenae. Hera ensured that Heracles’ life was filled with hardship and tragedy. Because he was the product of one of Zeus’ many affairs, Heracles was hated and hounded by Zeus’ jealous wife Hera. Heracles, the son of Zeus and Alcmene (a mortal woman), was a Greek hero and demigod.
