Apollodorus (1st-2^nd c. CE)

A mythographer (collector of mythological stories); his Library (Bibliotheca) is an extensive collection of the Greek myths (though the entire thing does not survive – almost three out of four books survive and the fourth is preserved in a summary (Epitome).  In addition to telling the story of Heracles in a separate narration, he has many references to Heracles in other tales – just shows how much Heracles got around.

Apollonius Rhodius (b. c. 290 BCE)

His Argonautica tells the story of Jason and the Argonauts, their quest for the golden fleece, and Jason’s relationship with Medea.  Heracles was an Argonaut for a while so he appears in the early part of the narrative.

Diodorus Siculus

1c BCE

A historian who wrote a whole history of the world.  Since myth was considered a part of prehistory, her preserves many myths – though often he comes up with bizarre rationalizing explanations for what they mean.

Euripides

485-406 BCE

An Athenian playwright known for his modern approach and reinterpretation of myth.  He wrote Heracles and Alcestis, two plays which give the most complete dramatic interpretations of events in Heracles’ life.

Hesiod

725-675 BCE(?)

Hesiod may not have been a real person, but rather, the name given to the non-existent author of a body of traditional oral poems.  Anyhow, his Theogony tells about the origin of the gods and the ordered universe, and his Shield of Heracles is about, well, the shield of Heracles.

Homer

750-700 BCE (?)

Like Hesiod, possibly the name given to the non-existent author of a body of traditional oral poems.  His Iliad and Odyssey focus on the generation after Heracles, but contain some references to him. 

Hyginus (wrote before 207 CE)

A mythographer, who also wrote a book on the legends surrounding the constellations (for those who are interested in catasterization).  Some odd variations . . .

Ovid (43 BCE-17 CE)

His Metamorphoses (Transformations) are artistic, amusing and often poignant retellings of Greek myths for a sophisticated Roman audience.

Pausanias (writing c. 175 CE)

Travelogue writer – his descriptions of Greek “tourist” sites often include local legends and descriptions of art which contains mythological subjects – since Heracles was so widespread, there are a fair number of references to Heracles and some insight into how he was depicted in art that no longer exists.

Pindar (b. approx. 522 BCE)

A poet who is best known for the poems he wrote in honor of the victors at Athletic games.  This was a very big deal in Greece, and he made a good living at it.  Since he was from Heracles’ home town of Thebes, he had a special connection with Heracles and often included him in his poems to create a mythic connection between past and present glory.

Sophocles (495-406 BCE)

Athenian playwright; author of The Women of Trachis, which treats Heracles’ accidental murder at the hands of his wife.