Head from Heracles/Artagenes statue. Nemrut Dagi, Turkey
Click on image for full size
Corel Corporation.
Heracles
More than two thousand years ago, Greek people believed that a particular group of
stars represented the figure of Heracles, the most famous Greek hero. The ancient
Romans called him Hercules. Heracles was a courageous and strong man.
Unfortunately, Heracles had a terrible enemy: the goddess Hera. Hera was so annoyed by Heracles' strength and fame that she cast a spell over him. As a result, he committed a terrible crime.
Seeking forgiveness, Heracles was told to perform twelve very difficult tasks for the king, Eurystheus. Hercules completed the twelve tasks, using his great strength. He has been famous for this ever since.
You might also be interested in:
Ahsonnutli was the sky father and chief god for the Navajo. He created heaven, Earth, and the sky. Each of the four directions, or cardinal points, are supported by a giant. Each direction is symbolized
...more
Amphitrite was one of the sea-nymphs called the Nereids. One day the sea god Poseidon saw her dancing and fell desperately in love with her. He promptly asked her to marry him but unfortunately she refused.
...more
Aphrodite was the Greek goddess of love and beauty. She was known to the Romans as Venus. To the perfection of her figure and the purity of her features she added an innocent grace. On her sweet face she
...more
In Greek mythology, Apollo was the son of Jupiter(in Greek Zeus) and Leto (Letona). He was the god of the Sun, logic, and reason, and was also a fine musician and healer. Leto travelled all over Greece
...more
According to an ancient Greek legend, the figure of a gigantic crab was placed in the nighttime sky by the goddess Hera to form the constellation Cancer. Hera swore to kill Heracles, the most famous Greek
...more
In the Northern Hemisphere sky is the constellation Cepheus, king of Ethiopia, and that of his wife Cassiopeia. Cassiopeia claimed that she and her daughter Andromeda were more beautiful than the sea nymphs,
...more
According to Navajo mythology, the Milky Way was created by the mischievous behavior of the god, Coyote. When the world was created, the Holy People gathered around Black God to place the stars in the
...more
