# Which Greek words describe the atonement that Hercules must carry out for killing his family?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-greek-words-describe-the-atonement-that-hercules-must-carry-out-for-killing-his-family/813263>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [April 28, 2018, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-greek-words-describe-the-atonement-that-hercules-must-carry-out-for-killing-his-family/813263 "2018-04-28T14:06:12Z")\
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**Author:** ![davidmich](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e56c9b/32.png) [@davidmich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidmich)\
**Post date:** [April 28, 2018, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-greek-words-describe-the-atonement-that-hercules-must-carry-out-for-killing-his-family/813263/1 "2018-04-28T14:06:12Z")

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Which Greek words describe the atonement that Herciules must carry out for killing his family? Is the proper phrase 'blood atonement? Do either of the Greek words hilastērion" and "hilasmos apply in this case?  
I look forward to your feedback