Heracles was a Greek mythical hero later known to the Romans as Hercules. In addition he has been identified with biblical Samson^(a) , the Phoenician Melqart and the Mesopotamian Gilgamesh^(b) .

The term ‘Pillars of Heracles’ was used by the ancient Greeks to define the outer reaches of their limited seagoing range. This changed over time as their nautical capabilities improved. Some of the earlier ‘Pillars’ were located at the entrance to the Black Sea and the Strait of Sicily. Later the term was applied exclusively to the Strait of Gibraltar.

^(a) http://www.aeonjournal.com/articles/samson/samson.html

^(b) http://phoenicia.org/greek.html