- Class. Myth. the son of Zeus and Alcmene, renowned for his strength and courage, esp. as shown in his performance of twelve labors imposed on him
- a large N constellation between Ophiuchus and Draco
- any very large, strong man
Origin of HerculesClassical Latin ; from Classical Greek H?rakle?s ; from H?ra, Hera + kleos, glory
- also Her·a·cles or Her·a·kles Greek & Roman Mythology The son of Zeus and Alcmene, a hero of extraordinary strength who won immortality by performing 12 labors demanded by the Argive king Eurystheus.
- A constellation in the Northern Hemisphere near Lyra and Corona Borealis.
Origin of HerculesLatin, from Greek H&emacron;rakl&emacron;s : H&emacron;ra, Hera + kleos, fame; see kleu- in Indo-European roots.
detail of a c. 500 bc black-figure amphora showing Hercules killing the lion of Nemea
- (Roman mythology) The Roman name for the Greek divine hero Heracles, who was the son of Jupiter and Alcmene, a celebrated hero who possessed exceptional strength. Most famous for his 12 labours performed to redeem himself after killing his family.
- (astronomy) A summer constellation of the northern sky, said to resemble the mythical hero. It lies between the constellations Lyra and Corona Borealis.
- (astronomy) A crater in the first quadrant on the moon.
- A city in California.
From Latin Herculēs, from Ancient Greek Ἡρακλῆς (Heraklēs), apparently from Ἥρα (Hēra, “Hera”) + κλέος (kleos, “glory”).