Anicetus and Alexiares

Anicetus and Alexiares were two minor Olympian gods who presided over the defence of fortified towns and citadels. Their names mean respectively "the unconquerable one " and "he who wards off war." They were sons of Herakles, born after the hero's ascension to Olympos, and his marriage to the goddess Hebe.

The pair may have been regarded as the gatekeepers of Olympus, a role which was often assigned to their immortal father. The were probably the same as the "Princes," two boy-god sons of Herakles, worshipped in the town of Thebes. In Aiskhylos' play the Seven Against Thebes, Zeus is invoked as Alexeterios by the defending Thebans. Their powers were said to be youth and sport.