LP0002a - The Birth of Hercules - Tales of his youth from Diodorus Siculus' Library of History

Legendary Passages #0002a - The Birth of Hercules - Tales of his youth from Diodorus Siculus' Library of History.     Last time, the little Hercules strangled the snakes in his crib. This time, we review his origins and his life before his labors.     After a long preamble about the unlikely life of this hero turned god, the author give his lineage, from Jupiter to Perseus (of Pegasus fame) to Electryo to Alcmenes, mother of Hercules. Jupiter disguised himself as Alcmenes husband Amphytriyo, and fathered Hercules. This lineage made him more god than man, and the last and greatest mortal son of Jove.     Alcmenes feared the wrath of Juno, so she left him in a field to die. Juno was tricked into nursing him (causing the Milky Way when he pinched her) and in revenge she sent the serpents.     Hercules grew up in Thebes, a city conquered and disarmed by King Erginus of the Menyans. When the Menyans demanded taxes and tribute, Hercules brutally maimed them and sent them home empty-handed. When King Erginus demanded that he be turned over, Hercules raided the temples for old weapons, revolted, killed King Erginus, and razed the Menyan's city to the ground.     Free of the tyrant, Creon gave him his own daughter Megara in marriage. It seemed like happily ever after, but Juno drove Hercules to madness, and he slew his own children.     Next time we review more early stories of the son of Amphitryo. http://quod.lib.umich.edu/e/eebo/A36034.0001.001/1:10.2?rgn=div2;view=fulltext The Birth of Hercules, a Legendary Passage, from Diodorus Siculus' Library of History, translated by George Booth Esq. [4.8.1] - [4.11.2]     ...[W]e shall now bend our Discourse to the things done by Hercules.     I am not ignorant that those that write of the Actions of the Ancients, especially of the Acts of Hercules, meet with many Difficulties; for of all the great Actions that ever were done in the World, those of Hercules far exceed all that ever have been recorded. A most difficult Task therefore it is to give such an Account of what this Hero did, as may be agreeable to the Worth and Dignity of his Actions, or to frame such a Discourse as may equalize the Greatness of them, for which he attain'd to a State of Immortality.     For in as much as things that are ancient and unusual are judg'd incredible by most, its absolutely necessary, though with the Diminution of this God's Glory, to omit some of his Acts, lest by relating all, the whole History be rejected as fabulous. For some unreasonably expect as clear Evidence for things that are ancient, as for those done in our own Age, and judge of the Greatness of Actions (which makes them seem incredible) according to the Rule of things done in the present time; and judge of the Strength of Hercules according to the weak Measure of Mens Strength now.     And so by reason of the Greatness and Strangeness of things related, History suffers in its Credit and Reputation. But in old Stories the Truth ought not to be search'd into too critically and punctually: For in the Plays and Theaters, tho' we do not believe for certain that there ever were such Creatures as Centaurs, or Creatures of a double Nature of several Species's, nor such a one as Geryon, that had three Bodies, yet we favourably receive and entertain those Fables, and with a general Applause advance the Honour of the God. How unjust is it then that Men should forget the Labours of Hercules while he was here upon Earth? Whereby he did Good to all the World, and instead of rendring him his due Praises, to calumniate him, whom our Ancestors with unanimous Consent for his eminent Virtue honour'd with divine Honours.     And what can be more impious, than not to preserve and defend that Religious Respect to this God, which they by their Example have recommended to us? But letting these things pass; we shall relate the things done by him from the be