In his lifetime he lived in the age of Heroes as half man, half god. he was the focus of considerable wrath and love from the immortals. Herakles led a life of sadness to please the gods so he could join his father as an immortal on Olympus.

Heracles also freed Prometheus from his bondage and torture. As punishment for giving the mortals stolen fire, Zeus ordered Hephaestos to chain Prometheus to a rock. Then, as torment, Zeus sent an eagle to ravage the Titan’s immortal flesh. In due time, Herakles killed the eagle and freed Prometheus, as was the will of Zeus.

Hera made Heracles complete The 12 Labours, because of her overwhelming hatred towards all children of Zeus that were not of her origin. This was very difficult for him and actually drove him slightly crazy . He even killed his own children and wife because of it.

The Twelve Labours of Herakles
1. Slay the Nemean Lion,
2. Kill the Hydra,
3. Capture the Cerynean Stag,
4. Cage the Erymanthian Boar,
5. Clean the Augean Stables,
6. Kill the Stymphalian Birds,
7. Claim the Mares of Diomedes,
8. Pen the Cretan Bull,
9. Take the Girdle of Hippolyte, the Amazon,
10. Capture Geryon’s Cattle,
11. Fetch the Golden Apples of Hesperides, and
12. Capture Cerberus from the Gates of Tartaros.

It was only after his death did the gods honour him and make him immortal. It was as a god that Heracles married Hebe and finally found happiness.

He is often confused with the Roman God, Hercules!