Hercules

In Roman mythology, Roman form of the deified Greek hero Heracles. Possibly the first foreign cult accepted in Rome, he was popular with merchants due to his legendary travel and ability to ward off evil, and was seen as the personification of strength.

His principal centre of worship was the Ara Maxima on the Palatine, although several other sanctuaries or temples of Hercules existed in ancient Rome. The ceremonies excluded other gods, women, and dogs.

The ancient Great Altar of Hercules was situated in the oldest part of the city near the first bridge, the Pons Sublicius, and the cattle market, the Forum Boarium. It was supposedly set up by the original inhabitants to honour the slaying of Cacus, a giant of the region, while the hero journeyed home with the oxen of Geryon (his 10th labour for King Eurystheus of Argos); Cacus attempted to steal them. The legend possibly indicates the importance of the cattle market before the city was founded.

Commodus, emporer from AD 180 to 192, adopted Hercules as his personal deity, eventally representing himself with a lionskin and club in sculpture and on coinage, in full identification with the god.

Hercules

Fifth-largest constellation, lying in the northern hemisphere. Despite its size it contains no prominent stars. Its most important feature is the best example in the northern hemisphere of a globular cluster of stars 22,500 light years from the Sun, which lies between Eta and Zeta Herculis.

Hercules

Secular oratorio by Handel (libretto by T Broughton), first produced at the King's Theatre, Haymarket, London, England, on 5 January 1745.

Hercules

City in Contra Costa County, north-central California; population (1990) 16,800. Hercules lies just south of San Pablo Bay, 24 km/15 mi north-northeast of Oakland. Founded in 1869 as a centre for the manufacture of dynamite for California's mines, it has grown rapidly as a residential suburb since 1970.