open dyslexic mode

Megara, the first wife of Heracles, plays a tragic role in Greek mythology. She was the daughter of King Creon of Thebes, and Heracles married her as a reward for defending the city from invaders. Together, they had several children, and for a time, they lived happily, with Heracles serving as a devoted husband and father. However, their happiness was short-lived due to the interference of Hera, Zeus’s jealous wife.

Hera, determined to make Heracles suffer, inflicted him with a fit of madness. In this delusional state, Heracles mistook his wife and children for enemies and tragically killed them all. When he regained his senses and realized the horror of his actions, he was devastated by guilt and sought redemption for the unforgivable crime.

As penance, Heracles consulted the Oracle of Delphi, who instructed him to serve King Eurystheus and undertake the Twelve Labors—tasks so dangerous they were meant to be impossible. The tragic death of Megara and their children marks a turning point in Heracles' life, setting him on a path of atonement, heroism, and suffering.