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GCSE Classics · key term
An ancient Greek hero, the son of Zeus and the mortal woman Alcmene, whose myths include twelve extraordinary tasks. The Romans called him Hercules.
Used by OCR
Paper 1
Revise: GreeceHeracles was the son of Zeus and Alcmene, a mortal woman. His parentage connected him with the gods, but his earthly life involved difficult journeys, dangerous tasks and suffering. The Greeks could therefore admire him both for exceptional physical strength and for enduring hardships.
Identify a labour using a specific feature: a bull, a three-headed dog or Atlas carrying apples is stronger evidence than Heracles’ muscular body alone.
Use the prescribed hymn’s exact wording. Balance its praise of Heracles with its admission that some of his actions were ‘reckless’.
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