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Glite Dictionary
Herakles

Herakles

4 9.2
A very strong hero from Greek stories who performs twelve hard tasks to become immortal
  • proper noun
  • /ˈhɛrəˌkliz/
  • Literature
translation icon : Heracles
  • Legends say that Herakles was the son of Zeus and possessed unmatched physical power.
  • Herakles, the hero

Examples

  • Herakles was an important Greek hero, and the elimination of Geryon constituted one of his celebrated labors.

    Academic text (1995)

  • How can you, so young, compare yourself to Herakles?

    Alexander (2004)

  • Why did Herakles kill Geryon?

    Academic text (1995)

  • In life, Herakles died of a poisoned shirt, given him in error by his jealous wife.

    Alexander (2004)

  • The figure may represent the Greco-Roman hero Herakles.

    Academic text (2008)

  • In Greek mythology, Herakles is celebrated for his incredible feats, including slaying the Nemean Lion.

  • Many stories recount how Herakles completed twelve impossible labors to prove his strength.

Synonyms

Hercules
vsHerakles
  • Literature
∞ 6.1

A hero from Greek stories with great strength who performed twelve difficult tasks

is the same hero but named through Roman or later usage
Heracles
vsHerakles
  • Literature
5 8.9

A hero in Greek myths known for great strength who does twelve very hard tasks to live forever

is the same hero but spelled differently in later traditions
Alcides
vsHerakles
  • Literature
4 9.9

A name for the hero Heracles, also called Hercules, famous for great strength and twelve tasks

is the same hero but appears under a different traditional name

Surface Forms

Herakles main

Etymology

Herakles comes from ancient Greek parts Hera and -klēs, which mean the goddess Hera and 'glory', so the name can be read as 'Hera's glory'. He is better known in Latin as Hercules, and because he had to complete twelve very hard tasks, the word Herculean now means 'very difficult' or 'requiring great strength'.