lew@ihuxr.UUCP (07/15/83)
This is freely summarized from "The Greek Myths, Vol. 2" by Robert Graves. Hercules was fathered by Zeus through a mortal woman. Zeus came to her in the form of her husband, who was away at war. The next night her husband came back and she conceived by him also. Thus Hercules was born with a mortal twin. His first feat of strength relates to this circumstance. Hera was annoyed with Hercules's birth and sent two serpents to kill him and his brother in their cradle. His father and mother awoke to the cries of the mortal infant, and rushing into the nursery, found Hercules sitting up laughing and cooing as he strangled a serpent in each hand! Lew Mammel, Jr. ihuxr!lew