Ancient Greek Mythology - Hercules

Summary of learning from the course Ancient Greek Mythology:

Hercules was subjected to endless reprisals from Hera from birth, and because of the great increase in the power of eating Hera's milk, he was originally called "Alcades", and later changed to "Hercules" according to the oracle, which is Hera's name, Hera plus kleos, the Greek meaning "glory, glory".

The Metamorphosis chronicles the second half of Hercules' life: After many years of wandering, Hercules married Princess Dei Agnella of Caledon. One day, he and his wife were out to cross the river, and the wife was driven by the horseman Nessos across the river.

Fire is the door to eternal life. The god of agriculture, Demeter, once roasted the mortal prince he had raised on the fire so that he could live forever; Dionysus, the god of wine, was the descendant of Zeus and the mortal woman, but because he had been burned by the fire caused by the god king in his mother's belly, he became an immortal god after birth.

Mythologists believe that in Greek mythology, there is a clear boundary between man and god - God is born immortal, but if man pursues immortality, it is trespassing, and there is almost no possibility of transformation of man and god.

Many emperors in ancient Rome entered the temple after their deaths, and together with the gods became the object of worship.

The story of Hercules joining the ranks of gods from mortal heroes reflects the processing and development of ancient Roman mythology to ancient Greek mythology, and also embodies the heroic concept of ancient Greeks and Romans.

Hercules in the Metamorphosis became a god from the flames, the Roman city was built at his behest, and the Roman lands survived in his shade, and were worshipped as if they were gods.

Hercules – the unity of extreme contradictions

The embodiment of masculine power

Feminine features

Unity of contradictions:

On the one hand, it embodies the "fusion" characteristics of Greek mythology: the development process of mythology is not only influenced by foreign cultures, but also carries the progress of the times and continues to develop, so the body of a hero is superimposed with countless stories and characteristics;

On the other hand, the contradictory image of Hercules can also be analyzed in terms of Jung's psychoanalytic theory: he was both a hero and an ordinary man, and he had the best side of man and the darkest side of man.

Mania, lust – natural attributes

Subdue the beasts and face death – social attributes

The contradictory image of Hercules embodies the unity of naturalness and sociality in ancient Greek thought.

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