Iákobos

Iákobos is a figure found in ancient Greek mythology, most notably as the father of the hero Herakles in some early traditions. While the more widely known parentage of Herakles is Zeus and Alkmene, certain older accounts and regional cults identified Iákobos as his paternal father. This alternative lineage often suggests a more human or earthly origin for the hero, contrasting with his Olympian divine parentage.

The name Iákobos itself is believed to be an older form or variant of the name Iakchos, a name associated with Dionysus and Eleusinian Mysteries. This connection hints at possible links between these figures and the worship practices of certain regions in ancient Greece. The specific origins and geographical distribution of the cults that favored Iákobos as Herakles' father are not entirely clear, but they suggest a complex and evolving mythological landscape. The presence of this alternative parentage highlights the fluid nature of myths and how they could be adapted and reinterpreted over time and across different communities.