Reception of Heracles and Greek Mythology in the Hagiography of Saint Anthony/Recepción de Heracles y de la mitología griega en la hagiografía de San Antonio

Abstract

This paper aims to work on a book authored by Brás Luís de Abreu, entitled Sol Nascido No Occidente, e Posto Ao Nascer Do Sol, S. Antonio Portugues, from 1725, a biography of Fernando Bulhões (or Martins), who was born in Lisbon (Portugal) at the end of the 12th century and died in Padua (Italy) in the 13th century, better known as Saint Anthony (to whose name both Lisbon and Padua have added their respective toponymic). In this text, Saint Anthony is compared to various figures from classical antiquity (gods, heroes, mythological and historical figures) and Christianity. The intention is to examine the characteristics of Heracles/Hercules, analyzing which were chosen and which were omitted, how they are described in relation to the roles of each, and how they contributed to the praise of the saint (the final goal of the work).

Keywords

• classical tradition
• Heracles/Hercules
• Christianity
• Saint Anthony
• Mythology