In a fit of madness, induced by Hera, Hercules slew his wife, Megara, and their three children. The 12 labors were his penance.
In one sense he was. He killed his wife, then was set 12 impossible tasks by Hera which he still managed to complete
Apollo
Yes, I believe after he killed Megara, he was given the 12 tasks. After this, by the by, he married Deianira, who he won from the river god Achelous.
Hercules was given the 12 labors as a form of punishment and redemption after being driven to madness by Hera, which led him to kill his wife and children. To atone for his actions, the Oracle of Delphi instructed him to serve King Eurystheus, who devised the arduous tasks to test Hercules' strength and resolve. Completing these labors would ultimately lead to his redemption and immortality, allowing him to reclaim his honor and status among the gods.
Hera originally gave Hercules 10 tasks. But 2 of them she didn't count because he had help. This is why Hercules had to do 12 tasks.
A "herculean" task (after Hercules' 12 labors).
Yes
He finished the tasks even though Eurystheus thought he couldn't.
Odysseus did not have specifically have 12 tasks, set apart from the rest. You are probably thinking of Hercules.
Comes from Hercules. Hercules was a greek who killed his wife and children so had to take upon 12 tasks called the labours of hercules.
Heracles (Greek) Hercules (Roman) had to complete 12 labors.