# Hercules — Metamorphoses character guide

> Hercules in Metamorphoses by Ovid.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Alcides, Hercules Achelous

**First appearance:** 0117-trojan-war

## Snapshot

Legendary strongman and son of Jove whose labors and violent death make him the poem's great emblem of mortal endurance.

## Who they are

Hercules strides through the Metamorphoses as the hero whose strength is matched only by the suffering it earns him, from monstrous labors to a death by poisoned robe. His presence anchors tales of Theban and Greek glory, and his eventual apotheosis shows how Ovid turns even the hardest mortal life into a story of transformation. He matters because he proves that in this poem, no feat of power escapes the pull of change.

## In the story

### [Story of Coronis, and Birth of Esculapius](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metamorphoses_se/chapters/story-of-coronis-and-birth-of-esculapius)

Chiron, the centaur, is mentioned as the one to whom Apollo entrusts the infant Esculapius; Chiron is associated with Hercules in myth.

### [Book VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metamorphoses_se/chapters/book-vii)

Mentioned in connection with Euryphilus's town and the matrons' punishment.

### [Death of Pelias](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metamorphoses_se/chapters/death-of-pelias)

Referenced in the description of Euryphilus' town, defaced by him.

### [Story of Aegeus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metamorphoses_se/chapters/story-of-aegeus)

Mentioned as Alcides, who dragged Cerberus from the underworld, leading to the origin of the aconite poison.

### [Book IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metamorphoses_se/chapters/book-ix)

Suffers a painful death from the poisoned robe sent by Deianira, then is transformed into a god.

### [Story of Achelous and Hercules](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metamorphoses_se/chapters/story-of-achelous-and-hercules)

Contends with Achelous for Dejanira, defeats him in wrestling and after transformations, tears off his horn.

### [Death of Nessus the Centaur](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metamorphoses_se/chapters/death-of-nessus-the-centaur)

Kills Nessus with a poisoned arrow after the centaur assaults his bride Dejanira.

### [Death of Hercules](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metamorphoses_se/chapters/death-of-hercules)

The hero, returning victorious from Oechalia, is poisoned by the tunic sent by Dejanira and suffers a agonizing death.

### [Transformation of Lychas Into a Rock](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metamorphoses_se/chapters/transformation-of-lychas-into-a-rock)

Anguished by the poisoned shirt, Hercules hurls Lychas into the sea in a fit of rage.

### [Apotheosis of Hercules](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metamorphoses_se/chapters/apotheosis-of-hercules)

The hero of immortal birth who ascends to godhood after his mortal body is consumed by fire.

### [Transformation of Galanthis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metamorphoses_se/chapters/transformation-of-galanthis)

Alcmena's son, whose birth is delayed by Juno's hatred.

### [Iolaus Restored to Youth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metamorphoses_se/chapters/iolaus-restored-to-youth)

Requests Hebe to restore youth to Iolaus.

### [Building of Troy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metamorphoses_se/chapters/building-of-troy)

Saves Laomedon's daughter from the sea monster but is denied his reward; later sacks Troy.

### [Skirmish Between the Centaurs and Lapithites](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metamorphoses_se/chapters/skirmish-between-the-centaurs-and-lapithites)

Mentioned as 'great Alcides' whose bow is destined to kill Nessus; his arms are used in the battle.

### [Fate of Periclymenos](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metamorphoses_se/chapters/fate-of-periclymenos)

Alcides, the father of Tlepolemus, who slew Nestor's brothers and mortally wounded Periclymenos.

### [Book XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metamorphoses_se/chapters/book-xv)

Hercules is mentioned in the context of the centaurs washing their wounds in the Anigros river, which made its waters brackish.

### [Pythagorean Philosophy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metamorphoses_se/chapters/pythagorean-philosophy)

Mentioned in the context of the Centaurs washing their wounds in the Anigros river, making its waters brackish.

### [Occasion of Esculapius Being Brought to Rome](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metamorphoses_se/chapters/occasion-of-esculapius-being-brought-to-rome)

The city of Naples is described as adorned with Alcides' (Hercules') spoils.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metamorphoses_se/characters/heracles
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metamorphoses_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metamorphoses_se/characters