The Homeric Hymn to Heracles

‘Many things he suffered’

Sufferings throughout his life; labours, his family, his death

‘In the beautiful abode of snowy Olympus’

Once he dies be becomes a god (through deification)

‘Enjoying himself with beautiful ankles Hebe’

After he goes to Olympus, he marries Hera’s daughter Hebe

‘Lion-hearted’

Heracles is brave

Where might the song have been sung?

The Olympics, to honour Heracles and in an effort to gain his favour

Why does the author think Heracles can grant both ‘excellence and happiness’?

Because he has been through many troubles and sufferings but was deified at his death

‘Black-clouded son of Cronos’

Epithet for Zeus, he is powerful and manipulative

‘Land and seas impossible to count’

These are the 12 labours of Heracles

‘Many things he did were reckless’

Heracles is a fighter, known for his strength, not his intelligence or use of his brains (so he is not a thinker)