Final answer:
Zeus, the father of Hercules (Heracles in Greek), helped him by conferring upon him immortal powers and influencing certain events in his life. Hercules is famous for the 12 labors, shown in various forms of art, which he had to complete as atonement for his sins.
Step-by-step explanation:
The god that helped Hercules — or Heracles, as he was known in Greek mythology — was Zeus, his father. Zeus aided Heracles in obtaining immortal powers when he secretly placed him at Hera's breast while she slept. Upon waking and pushing the infant Heracles away, her milk sprayed into the cosmos, creating the Milky Way. This act was one of the ways Zeus sought to protect and empower his son. Hercules is renowned for his 12 labors, a series of tasks he had to complete as a punishment for his misdeeds, which included killing the Nemean Lion and capturing Cerberus, the dog of the underworld. Artistic representations, such as the Farnese Hercules, commemorate these labors. The sculpture by Lysippos, famously copied by Glycon, depicts Hercules after completing his labors, resting with the skin of the Nemean Lion and holding the apples from the Hesperides, indirectly referencing the assistance provided by Zeus in these narratives.