The man fighting the lion on this black-figure wine jug, made in Athens around the beginning of the fifth century BCE, is the same as the figure found on a Buddhist carving in the Fitzwilliam made in what is now northern Pakistan. But it could have been used at almost any period of antiquity, so popular and widespread was the cult of this hero who became a god. This hymn of praise and petition to Herakles dates from the sixth century BCE. The Homeric Hymn to Herakles, translated by Apostolos N. Hail, O Lord and son of Zeus! Grant me virtue and happiness. On snowy Olympos with fair-ankled Hebe as his spouse. In the past he wandered endlessly over the boundless earth and seaĪnd he committed many reckless deeds and himself endured many.īut now he joyously dwells in his beautiful abode Of the union of Alkmene with Zeus, Lord of the Dark Clouds.
I shall sing of Zeus’ son, Herakles, noblest of mortals,
