Heracles, born Alcaeus or Alcides, was a divine hero in Greek mythology, the son of Zeus and Alcmene, and the foster son of Amphitryon. He was a descendant of Perseus, another son of Zeus.
One of the most famous depictions of Heracles, Farnese Hercules, Roman marble statue on the basis of an original by Lysippos, 216 CE. National Archaeological Museum, Naples, Italy
Heracles carrying his son Hyllus looks at the centaur Nessus, who is about to carry Deianira across the river on his back. Antique fresco from Pompeii.
Greek mythology influenced the Etruscans. This vase at Caere shows King Eurytus of Oechalia and Heracles in a symposium. Krater of corinthian columns called 'Krater of Eurytion', c. 600 BCE
Heracles strangling snakes (detail from an Attic red-figured stamnos, c. 480–470 BCE)
In Greek mythology, Telephus was the son of Heracles and Auge, who was the daughter of king Aleus of Tegea. He was adopted by Teuthras, the king of Mysia, in Asia Minor, whom he succeeded as king. Tel
Heracles with the infant Telephus and deer, mid second century AD. Paris, Louvre MA 75.
Heracles finds Telephus suckled by a deer, with Arkadia, Pan and a winged Virgo looking on, first century AD. Naples, National Archaeological Museum 9008.
Marble statue of Hercules holding baby Telephus in his arms. Ancient Roman copy from a Greek original of 4th century BC. Found in the 16th century in Campo de' Fiori in Rome. Museo Chiaramonti, the Vatican
Achilles; ancient Greek polychromatic pottery painting (dating to c. 300 BC)