Homeric Hymn to Heracles the Lion Hearted (copy)

I’m not going to summarise this one because it’s so short, but I will do annotations

Date: 700 BC

Author: Homer

Genre: Poetry

Importance: Tells us some key aspects of Heracles’ life

Heracles, Zeus’ son, I will celebrate, who, greatest and best of those on earth, was born in Thebes’ beautiful places, Alcmene having slept with the black-clouded son of Cronus. At one time, by lands and seas impossible to count, He wandered, sent away by Lord Eurystheus, Many things he did that were reckless, many things he suffered: Now, however, in the beautiful abode of snowy Olympus He dwells, enjoying himself with beautiful-ankled Hebe. Farewell, lord, Zeus’s son: grant both excellence and happiness.

Heracles → Hera + Kleos (glory)

Alcmene → Heracles’ (mortal) mother black-clouded son of Cronus → Zeus / Heracles father

Lord Eurystheus → King of Mycenae / cousin of Heracles who made him do his labours

Hebe → Goddess of youth / Heracles’ new wife, daughter of Zeus and Hera