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Heracles: Gods
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Heracles in death was transformed into an Olympian, an equal with the other gods. He and his step-mother were then reconciled. In fact, Hera allowed Hercules to marry the goddess Hebe, daughter of herself and Zeus, known as the gods' cup bearer, pouring and bringing them wine. Hebe herself was worshipped as a goddess of pardons or forgiveness...freed prisoners would hang their chains in the sacred grove of her sanctuary at Phlius. Thus her marriage to Heracles could be seen as the ultimate pardon by Hera.....the ultimate becoming whole.
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The greatest of Hellenic chthonic heroes, yet unlike other Greek heroes, in that no tomb of Heracles was identified. Heracles was both hero and god, as Pindar says heroes theos; at the same festival sacrifice was made to him, first as a hero, with a chthonic libation, and then as a god, upon an altar: ... he embodies the closest Greek approach to a "demi-god".[6] The core of the story of Heracles has been identified by Walter Burkert as originating in Neolithic hunter culture and traditions of shamanistic crossings into the netherworld.[7]
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Later interpretations of Heracles' legend cast him as a wise leader and a good friend (many of the movie and TV adaptations cast him in this light, especially the recent syndicated TV series Hercules: The Legendary Journeys, and the movie Hercules). While he was a champion and a great warrior, he was not above cheating and using any unfair trick to his advantage. However, he was renowned as having made the world safe for man by destroying many dangerous monsters, and he was ... held up as an example for never having attacked first, but for having conquered all merely by defending himself when attacked, and protecting the helpless and distraught. His self-sacrifice obtained Him the ascent to the Olympian realms and He was welcomed by the Gods. The legend of Heracles endures, though often co-opted to suit the political fashion of the day.
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The suckling of the infant Heracles apparently awoke none of Hera's maternal instincts. She would remain for the rest of Heracles' life a hostile stepmother. Still jealous of Alcmene, the goddess sent two poisonous serpents with flaming eyes to destroy both Heracles and his half-brother Iphicles. Yet the mighty infant seized one in each hand and easily strangled the serpents.
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Heracles just wanted advice from the oracle, not a fight with Apollo. While Apollo felt admiration for Heracles' boldness, the god ordered his priestess to response to the hero's request. The oracle told Heracles, he must sell himself as a slave, as punishment for the murder and a cure for his disease.
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Heracles decided it was time to settle and chose another wife. He sought Deianira, daughter of the king of Calydon. He fought the river god Achelous for her hand and easily disposed of his rival. Heracles and Deianira lived in peace in Calydon, but one day Heracles accidently killed a cupbearer, and the two were forced to flee to Trachis.
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