Heracles was a demigod, the son of Zeus and a mortal woman. He had many adventures and trials, including completing 12 labors assigned to him by King Eurystheus as a punishment. Some of the gods who played roles in his stories included Hera, who was his enemy; Zeus, who was his father; and Athena and Hermes, who accompanied him at times. He had several wives and children over the course of his life.