Ercole

Ercole is the Italian form of Hercules, the legendary hero of Greek and Roman mythology known for strength and for completing the Twelve Labors. In Italian culture, Ercole is also used as a masculine given name and has been borne by various historical and contemporary figures, reflecting the enduring association of the name with courage and endurance.

Historically, the name was common among Italian nobility and scholars, particularly in periods when classical mythology influenced naming practices across Europe.

In culture and the arts, Ercole appears as a character or allusion in Italian literature, opera, sculpture, and other visual arts, often representing Hercules or drawing on his symbolic attributes such as resilience, bravery, and adventure. The form is used similarly in other Romance languages, with corresponding variants of Hercules.

Because Ercole is used primarily as a proper name and as a mythological reference, the term can denote people, fictional characters, and artistic works connected to Hercules. It is the direct Italian counterpart to Hercules, and is equivalent to Heracles in Greek.