Hercules turned to Apollo, a god who could offer healing, knowledge, and prophecy. When Hercules regains his sensibility, he realizes what he has done to his family, and he is overcome with grief. Knowing how much Hercules loved his wife and children, Hera sent madness upon Hercules that caused him to kill his wife and children, taking away everything that Hercules loved. Hercules strangled the snakes that Hera had sent into his crib, but Hera’s vengeance would not stop there.Īs Hercules grew into an adult, he married Megara and had many sons. Hera tried to kill Hercules as an infant, sending snakes into his crib to poison him. Hera was vengeful and hated Hercules because he reminded Hera of her unfaithful husband, Zeus. As Hercules was a demi-god, he was born with superhuman strength, which was evident within the first months of his life. Hera’s VengeanceĪlcmene gave birth to Hercules and raised him with her husband, Amphitryon. Zeus’s infidelity would enrage Hera which would ultimately lead Hercules to kill his wife and children. Zeus was married to Hera, the goddess of women, when he fathered Hercules to Alcmene. His father was Zeus, and his mother was the mortal princess Alcmene. One of the most famous names in Greek mythology is Hercules.