In Thebes, a Greek city, lived a general named Amphitryon and his wife Alcmene - the most beautiful woman in Greece.

Amphitryon had to leave for war. And that night, Zeus, king of the gods, saw Alcmene and fell in love.

Zeus assumed Amphitryon's form and visited Alcmene. She thought it was her own husband returning from war.

That magical night, Zeus made the night last three times longer - as if time itself stopped! And from that divine union, Alcmene became pregnant!

When the real Amphitryon returned, he also was with Alcmene. And thus, Alcmene had something very rare: twins from different fathers.

One baby would be Zeus's son - a demigod with divine strength.

The other would be Amphitryon's son - a normal human.

Hera, Zeus's wife, was furious when she found out! Another betrayal by Zeus! Another bastard son!

"This demigod baby," swore Hera, "will suffer his whole life! He will pay for his father's sins!"

When Alcmene gave birth, two boys were born: Heracles (Zeus's son) and Iphicles (Amphitryon's son).

Alcmene knew Hera would try to kill Heracles! So she hid the babies in a common cradle, hoping Hera wouldn't know which was which!

But Hera found out.

One night, when the babies were only eight months old, Hera sent two giant serpents to the children's room.

The serpents slithered silently... entered the cradle... opened their mouths full of poisonous fangs.

Iphicles woke first! He saw the serpents and Screamed in terror!

Alcmene and Amphitryon ran to the room.

But when they arrived... they saw something unbelievable.

Heracles, the eight-month-old baby, was smiling! And in each chubby little hand, he held a serpent... BY THE Neck!

The giant serpents - each the size of an adult man - struggled and tried to escape.

But Heracles, laughing as if it were a game, squeezed.

Crack! Crack!

The serpents' bones broke! They died in the baby's hands!

"By all the gods!" whispered Amphitryon. "This boy... is not an ordinary human!"

Alcmene hugged her babies, relieved! Iphicles cried frightened. Heracles played with the dead serpents as if they were toys!

Heracles grew and his strength grew with him.

At five years old, he accidentally broke his music teacher's lyre - destroying the instrument as if it were a twig.

At ten years old, he killed a lion attacking flocks - with his bare hands.

At fifteen years old, he was bigger and stronger than any adult man.

Amphitryon hired the best tutors: Linus for music, Eumolpus for singing, Castor for fighting.

But Heracles had a problem: he couldn't control his strength! When Linus hit him with a rod to discipline him, Heracles reacted instinctively - and accidentally killed the teacher with a single blow!

"He's dangerous," some Thebans said. "Too strong to live in society!"

But Heracles wasn't evil! He was good-hearted! He just needed to learn control!

As an adult, Heracles became a hero! He defended Thebes from invaders! Fought against bandits! Protected the weak!

The king of Thebes, Creon, was so grateful that he gave Heracles his daughter Megara in marriage.

Heracles and Megara fell in love! They had children - three beautiful, strong boys!

For years, Heracles was happy! He had a wife he loved, wonderful children, respect from the people!

It seemed that finally Heracles would find peace...

But on Olympus, Hera watched with growing anger.

"Happy?" murmured Hera. "He does NOT deserve to be happy! He's the son of Zeus's betrayal! I'll destroy his joy!"

One night, Hera sent Madness - an evil divine spirit - into Heracles' mind.

Heracles was at home when Madness struck him.

Suddenly, his vision darkened! His mind twisted! He no longer saw his home, his family!

In his madness, Heracles thought he was on a battlefield! He thought his children were attacking enemies!

"Megara! Protect the children!" she screamed, seeing Heracles' eyes empty and wild!

But it was too late...

In his madness, Heracles attacked his own family! His terrible strength - the same strength that protected innocents - now destroyed those he loved most!

When Madness finally passed... Heracles woke as from a nightmare.

And saw the horror! Megara and his three children... dead by his own hands!

Heracles screamed in agony! A scream so terrible it echoed through all of Thebes!

"NO! WHAT HAVE I DONE?! I KILLED MY OWN FAMILY!"

He fell to his knees, crying tears that wouldn't end! He wanted to die! He grabbed his sword to kill himself!

But his friend Theseus (yes, the hero of the Minotaur!) arrived and stopped him!

"Heracles! It wasn't your fault! It was Hera! It was divine madness!"

"It doesn't matter!" sobbed Heracles. "My hands did this! My strength caused this! I'm a monster!"

"You're not a monster," said Theseus firmly. "Monsters kill without remorse! You're destroyed because you HAVE a good heart! But now you must seek purification!"

Theseus took Heracles to Delphi - where the Oracle was, the priestess who spoke for Apollo.

At Delphi, Heracles prostrated himself before the Oracle.

"How can I redeem myself?" he asked through tears. "How can I pay for this horrible crime?"

The Pythia entered a trance! Her eyes rolled back! And the voice of Apollo spoke through her:

Twelve labors! Twelve years of servitude!

Heracles accepted immediately! "I'll do a hundred labors if necessary! A thousand years of servitude! Anything to redeem myself!"

Heracles traveled to Tiryns, where Eurystheus reigned - a weak and cowardly man who was Heracles' cousin.

Ironically, Eurystheus should have been born After Heracles! But Hera delayed Heracles' birth and hastened Eurystheus's, making Eurystheus be born first! Thus, by law, Eurystheus became king instead of Heracles!

Now, the world's strongest hero would have to obey a coward!

When Eurystheus saw Heracles - huge, muscular, with a determined look - he felt fear.

"You... you came to serve me?" stammered Eurystheus.

"Yes," said Heracles in a deep voice. "The Oracle commanded me. I will give you twelve labors. I will complete each one, no matter how impossible!"

Eurystheus smiled maliciously! Hera had told him Heracles would come! And she had suggested the most deadly labors possible!

"Very well," said Eurystheus. "Your first labor will be... kill the Nemean Lion!"

Heracles left Tiryns with iron determination.

He no longer had a wife. He no longer had children. He no longer had joy.

All he had was guilt... and the chance for redemption.

"I will complete the Twelve Labors," swore Heracles. "Not for glory! Not for fame! But to honor Megara and my children! To prove I can use my strength for good!"

And thus began the most famous journey in Greek mythology: The Twelve Labors of Heracles.

Each labor would be impossible! Each would test not only his strength, but his courage, intelligence, and character!

But Heracles was ready! Because now he had something more powerful than divine strength...

He had purpose.