Heracles (Hercules) is the greatest of the Greek heroes, the son of Zeus and the mortal Alcmena [S2][S5]. Driven to madness by Hera (who resented Zeus's affair with Alcmena) he killed his own children, and was later set to perform the twelve labors by King Eurystheus as penance — including capturing Cerberus, slaying the Nemean lion, and capturing the Cretan bull [S5]. After his death (he was burned on a pyre, set up by his wife or by fate), he was raised to Olympus and married the goddess Hebe [S5]. He is the model of the strength-hero, and his cult was widespread; he was a patron of athletes and of the city of Thebes (his birthplace) [S6].