The myth goes that Zeus is the strongest God among the Greek Pantheon, but who is the strongest one among all his children? We’ve heard of powerful and legendary beings like Ares, Athena, Hercules, Apollo, and so on… but which one of them is the most powerful as a child of Zeus?
Hercules was considered to be the strongest child of Zeus with his strength being comparable to the God of Thunder himself. Hercules’ strength was proven by his twelve labors which were immortalized as one of the most told tales in Greek Mythology.
When it comes to Zeus’ many children, there is none more famous nor stronger than the legendary Hercules. He is by far the strongest of all of Zeus’ children with his strength almost rivaling that of his father’s. How strong was Hercules according to the myth?
How Strong Was Hercules?
Though the myths may vary and results fluctuate, everything points towards Hercules being the strongest among Zeus’ children. His heroic feats are all recorded as the famous twelve labors that Hercules had to go through for his redemption.
Within the twelve labors recorded in the myths, many of them deal with dangerous creatures and have feats of strength that showcase Hercules’ prowess. Beasts such as the Nemean Lion, Lernean Hydra, and the Erymanthian Boar are only some of the many beasts Hercules conquered.
He was so strong, that he even wrestled and captured the three-headed gatekeeper to the Underworld, Cerberus, with nothing but his bare hands. Just fighting mythical beasts doesn’t prove his strength though, he had other feats that put him above the rest.
Atlas, the Titan that was punished to shoulder the world for his involvement in the war between the Olympians and the Titans, was said to be one of the strongest beings in the world. Hercules should be as strong as Atlas as he too shouldered the world in one of his twelve labors.
Though he only shouldered the world for a few moments, unlike Atlas who does it forever, his strength should not be trivialized. Hercules was definitely stronger than a big majority of creatures in the world, mortal or otherwise.
The proof of Hercules’ strength isn’t just in his adulthood though. It is said that Hercules was unbelievably strong even when he was nothing but an infant. When Hera found out about the existence of Hercules, she was so bitter that she sent two snakes to kill Hercules while he was three-days old.
This was all for naught as Hercules managed to kill the two snakes despite only being a few days old. Even the Milky Way was born from him sucking Hera’s breasts.
Who Is Zeus’ Strongest Child Besides Hercules?
Hercules’ story has been told millions of times and has been immortalized in the annals forever as one of the most iconic stories in Greek Mythology. Though we must give credit where it is due, I’m sure everyone would like to know who is the strongest among Zeus’ children besides Hercules.
The problem with this is that the answer will depend on how one defines strength. Hercules was considered to be the strongest because of his strength while may rival his father’s but he wasn’t lacking in his other capabilities either.
Ares
When it comes to pure strength, it is believed that Ares could give him a run for his money since the God of War knows nothing but battle. Ares was known for his insatiable bloodlust and his aggressive offense, making him the least favorite child of Zeus.
The problem with Ares is, though he would rampage through battles, he would often leave himself vulnerable in other ways as he never plans forward for his battles. All he does is go into battle blindly and cause unnecessary bloodshed.
It is also believed that whoever prays to Ares would gain his insane strength but would go on a rampage killing anyone they see. This is because they believed that Ares would possess the person and drive them insane.
Athena
Another God of War that could potentially be second to Hercules for their overall capabilities. Athena, the favored daughter of Zeus, could also be considered second to Hercules because she was battle-hardened and considered to be one of the strongest gods in the Greek Pantheon.
She couldn’t rival Ares or Hercules in pure brute strength alone, but she was an amazing strategist who inherited her father’s wisdom. She would win battles against her brother, Ares, simply because she was an amazing strategist and fights with her brain rather than brawns.
Her shield, the Aegis, was also considered to be one of the most powerful artifacts known to man. It could turn her enemies to stone because of Medusa’s head which was tied to it, and this weapon was shared with her father as well.
Caerus
Some believed that the God of Opportunity, Caerus, was considered to be the strongest among Zeus’ children. That is because when opportunities arise, not even a God as powerful as Zeus can stop it no matter what.
When Caerus is on the move, nothing in the world can stop him from moving. It is due to his existence that opportunity exists. Though it can be said that this makes Caerus the most powerful God of all, there is a flaw in this. Caerus is only powerful when he is on the move.
He becomes unstoppable during that brief moment in time but only during that moment. This is why not many consider him the strongest among Zeus’ children.
Conclusion
Zeus has many children, but Hercules triumphs them all in terms of being the strongest. There is no stronger than Hercules overall and his feats are all written in stone, forever immortalized as the fabled twelve labors of Hercules.
Though he is the strongest among them, we should give credit to those who are still considered to be the strongest among all his children. Ares had nothing but brute strength and Athena was a powerful Goddess of her own accord.
Though Caerus is only powerful within a brief moment in time, there is still none that can stop him during that moment. Not even the mighty Zeus can stop him.
