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The most important hero of Greek mythology, son of Zeus and Alkmene. He was famous for his physical strength and courage. Herakles undertook many enterprises but the most widely known ones were the twelve labours imposed on him by the king of Mycenae Eurystheus. His first labour was the slaying of the Nemean lion. Thereafter he wore the animal's skin for protection which became the most distinctive attribute of the hero. His end came when he wore a cloak smeared with the poisonous blood of the Centaur Nessos. The gods, however, to whose aid Herakles came during the Gigantomachy, made him immortal and accepted him on Mt Olympus.