In this lesson, we will learn about Hercules, one of the most famous heroes in ancient myths. We’ll explore his battles, his death, and how he became a god. We’ll also look at two famous stories about Hercules—his fight with the monster Cacus and how he tragically died—and talk about what these stories tell us about being a hero.
In this story, Hercules fights and defeats a terrible monster named Cacus. Cacus was a monster who lived in a cave and caused trouble for the people living near the Tiber River.
Excerpt from *The Aeneid*, Book 8 (Lines 185-205):
"Here, where the river Tiber flows,
A hero, Hercules, defeated the evil Cacus,
A monster who caused chaos and terror,
He brought peace to the land by slaying the beast."
Why is Hercules’ victory over Cacus important in the story?
In this story, Hercules dies in a very sad way. His wife, Deianira, thinks she can make him love her again by giving him a special tunic (shirt). However, the tunic is poisoned, and when Hercules wears it, he suffers terrible pain. To end his suffering, he builds a funeral pyre (a pile of wood) and lays on it to burn himself. Finally, the gods take pity on him and make him a god.
Excerpt from *Metamorphoses*, Book 9 (Lines 1-272):
"But Deianira, when she had received the poisoned tunic,
Did not realize the trap that she had set.
She thought that it would bring her husband back,
But instead, it set him on fire.
He cried out in agony as the fire burned,
And in his pain, he built his pyre.
When the gods saw his courage and strength,
They took him to Olympus, and he was made a god."
What do you think this story teaches us about being a hero?
Watch this video to see how Hercules fights the monster Cacus and helps make the land safe.
Watch Hercules and Cacus Video
Why do you think Hercules is shown as such a strong and helpful hero in this video? How is this different from other heroes you know?
Watch this video to learn about Hercules’ death and how he becomes a god.
Watch The Death of Hercules Video
What was sad about the way Hercules died? Why do you think the gods made him a god after he died?
After watching the videos and reading the stories, think about what makes a hero. Write your thoughts below.
Write a short paragraph comparing how Hercules is portrayed in *The Aeneid* and *Metamorphoses*. Focus on his strength in *The Aeneid* and his tragic end in *Metamorphoses*.
Which version of Hercules do you like more: the hero who defeats Cacus in *The Aeneid*, or the hero who dies and becomes a god in *Metamorphoses*? Explain why.