Interesting gods: Hercules. Hercules, also known as Heracles in Greek mythology, is one of the most famous figures in ancient Greek folklore and is renowned for his extraordinary strength. He is often depicted as a hero who performed incredible feats, battling monsters and completing seemingly impossible tasks. Hercules' most famous exploits are the Twelve Labours, a series of tasks given to him by King Eurystheus, who imposed them as punishment. The Labors included killing the Nemean Lion, slay