Heracles The most popular of Greek heroes, Hercules was celebrated in stories, sculptures, paintings, and even in the geography of the ancient world. Hercules was both the most famous hero of ancient times and the most beloved. More stories were told about him than any other hero. Hercules was worshipped in many temples all over Greece and Rome. Heracles was originally called Aclides, a patronym formed from the name of his grandfather Alceus. Zeus, Hercules father, was the most powerful of the gods. That meant Zeus could do anything he pleased, but it also meant that sometimes Zeus was not a very good husband to his wife, Hera, the queen of the gods. Zeus has cheated on