The great Greek mythical hero Hercules was born in
Thebes. His father was Amphytrion and his mother
Alcmene.  Hercules grandfather Alcaeus was the son of
the mythical heroic king Perseus. Zeus (Juno), the father
of all Gods and Man, boasted that Hercules was his own
son, and when the goddess Hera his wife heard
about this was so jealous that she swore to
kill Hercules.

So while Hercules was still a baby,
sleeping with his twin brother Iphicles,
he woke up at the moment that two

huge snakes approached their swing bed for the kill. Baby Hercules grabbed the snakes with his hands and choked them to death.
At that instant, his mother Alcmene entered the babies' room. At the site of the snakes she started calling for help. Her husband Amphitryon ran to her aid and surprisingly
found that the two snakes where dead. Realizing that baby Hercules must have divine powers to kill two huge snakes with
his bare hands, he called the famous Thebes blind seer Tiresias to ask about the child's future and powers. Tiresias said that this child is not like any other, he will accomplish much in his life and slay many beasts on land and the sea, his name will be glorious till the end of time.

When the goddess Hera found out what had happened she was convinced that this baby was Zeus' son and her anger for the young hero grew.

The years went by and Hercules grew up to be a tall, handsome young man, trained well by many masters in reading, writing and marshal arts.
At the age of eighteen, two women appeared in front of him. The first was very beautiful and dressed in rich clothing. The second woman was modest and dressed in simple clothing.
  -  Follow me, said the first woman, and I will give you wealth and joy in life. My name is Kakia (Vice).
  -  My name is Areti (Virtue), I am not promising wealth and joy, but a glorious name.
Hercules decided to follow the way of Areti (Virtue).