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To investigate the problems surrounding Heracles it is necessary to look at several factors; his birth; his character and actions; the attitude of the Gods towards him; the alternative portrayals of him from different authors and finally his death and afterlife. By doing this the reasons why Heracles is a problematic character will become clear. Heracles was an illegitimate child of Zeus and the son of Alkmene. The nature of his conception is itself complex. Zeus, taken by the beauty of Alkmene, morphed into the shape of Amphitrion (Alkmenes’ husband) and proceeded to make love to her. Whilst this does not directly contribute to Heracles being a problematic character, it is fitting that his conception had complicated circumstances. The conflicting treatment Heracles received from different Gods is another factor in making Heracles a problematic character. Hera pestered Heracles throughout his life, whilst other Gods favoured him. On one side Hera continually tries to hinder and on occasions kill Heracles and Poseidon and the sky God were also ‘anti’ Heracles. On the other side Apollo often helped Heracles with weaponry and Athene would give him advice, such as the time she gave Heracles the idea to lift Antius rather