(detail), silver plate, 6th century BC (Cabinet des Médailles, Paris).]]Hercules is the Roman name for the mythical Greek hero Heracles, son of Zeus and the mortal Alcmena.EtymologyHercules' Latin name is not directly borrowed from Greek Herakles but is a modification of the Etruscan name Hercle, which derives from the Greek name via syncope. An oath invoking Hercules (Hercle! or Mehercle!) was a common interjection in Classical Latin.Character Iolaus. 1st c. CE mosaic from