The Real Hercules Hollywood Was Too Afraid to Show You

Hey everyone, welcome to Mythology Explained. In today's video we are going to discuss the darkest moment in Hercules’ life, when he murdered his own family — killing his wife and three sons. We’re going to begin with some key moments from his early life, then transition to two distinct versions of his kin-killing madness, and finally wrap up with the final tragedy of his life — one that would see him ascend from the funeral pyre to become the only hero in all of Greek mythology to reach the lofty peak of Olympus and become a god, joining the Greek pantheon and finally burying the hatchet with Hera, who had done everything in her power thus far to make his life a living hell. Let’s get into it. Topics Covered In This Video: The tragic story of Hercules murdering his own wife and children Why Hera spent Hercules’ entire life trying to destroy him The birth of Hercules and Zeus’ affair with Alcmene How baby Hercules killed two serpents sent by Hera Hercules’ violent temper and the death of his music teacher The brutal punishment Hercules inflicted on the Minyan heralds Why Hercules cut off ears, noses, and hands in Greek mythology The war between Thebes and the Minyans explained Hercules’ marriage to Megara and the family he lost How Hera drove Hercules into madness The version of Hercules’ family murders told by Apollodorus The version of Hercules’ family murders told by Euripides Why the Twelve Labors were imposed on Hercules How the original Ten Labors became Twelve The myth of Cerberus and Hercules’ journey to the Underworld The story of Lycus and the attempted execution of Hercules’ family Why Hercules wanted to take his own life How Theseus saved Hercules after his greatest tragedy The friendship between Theseus and Hercules explained The myth of Nessus and the poisoned robe How Hercules ultimately died in Greek mythology Why Hercules built his own funeral pyre How Hercules became the only Greek hero to ascend to Olympus The reconciliation between Hercules and Hera The marriage of Hercules and Hebe Ancient Greek views on madness, guilt, and atonement Greek hero culture explained The darker side of Greek mythology Greek mythology analysis and lore breakdown Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices