"Hercules combatant Achelous." Louvre, Paris, France. The statue above depicts Hercules fighting against the monster Achelous.
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courtesy of Corel Corporation.
Heracles (Hercules)
More than two thousand years ago, Greek people believed that a particular group of stars represented the figure of
Heracles, the most famous Greek hero. The ancient Romans called him Hercules.
Heracles was a courageous and strong man.
Once he did a very bad crime. In order to be forgiven, he had to perform twelve labors, each requiring great strength. Heracles did all twelve, and has been famous ever since.
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