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{{for|the genus of birds|Iole (genus)}}
{{for|the genus of birds|Iole (genus)}}
In [[Greek mythology]], '''Iole''' ({{polytonic|Ἰόλη}}) was the daughter of [[Eurytus]], king of Oechalia.<ref name ="Romanorum1"> {{cite web|url= http://dante.udallas.edu/hutchison/Heroes/Heracles/iole.htm|title=
In [[Greek mythology]], '''Iole''' ({{polytonic|Ἰόλη}}) was the daughter of [[Eurytus]], king of Oechalia.<ref name ="Romanorum1"> {{cite web|url= http://dante.udallas.edu/hutchison/Heroes/Heracles/iole.htm|title=
Historiae Romanorum - Iole|accessdate= 2008-08-22}}</ref><ref name ="miller1"/> There are different versions of the [[mythology]] of Iole and Heracles. According to the [[mytheme]] of the Classical tale, the king of Oichalia, Eurytus, had a young daughter that was quite beautiful, eligible for marriage.<ref name ="miller1"/><ref name ="baldwin1"> {{cite web|url= http://www.mainlesson.com/display.php?author=colum&book=fleece&story=heracles|title= T h e B a l d w i n P r o j e c t - The Life and Labors of Heracles|accessdate= 2008-08-20}}</ref> Heracles was totally charmed with Iole and she likwise with Heracles when Eurytus was ruler of Oichalia and she was the princess.<ref name ="miller1"/><ref> Baldwin, p. 139 </ref> The general tale is that Iole was claimed by [[Heracles]] for a bride.<ref name ="miller1"> {{cite web|url= http://www.theoi.com/Text/SenecaHerculesOetaeus.html|title=
Historiae Romanorum - Iole|accessdate= 2008-08-22}}</ref><ref name ="miller1"/><ref name ="eurytos1"> {{cite web|url= http://dante.udallas.edu/hutchison/Heroes/Heracles/eurytos.htm|title=
Apollodorus. ''Bibliotece''|accessdate= 2008-08-27}}</ref> There are different versions of the [[mythology]] of Iole and Heracles. According to the [[mytheme]] of the Classical tale, the king of Oichalia, Eurytus, had a young daughter that was quite beautiful, eligible for marriage.<ref name ="miller1"/><ref name ="baldwin1"> {{cite web|url= http://www.mainlesson.com/display.php?author=colum&book=fleece&story=heracles|title= T h e B a l d w i n P r o j e c t - The Life and Labors of Heracles|accessdate= 2008-08-20}}</ref> Heracles was totally charmed with Iole and she likwise with Heracles when Eurytus was ruler of Oichalia and she was the princess.<ref name ="miller1"/><ref> Baldwin, p. 139 </ref> The general tale is that Iole was claimed by [[Heracles]] for a bride.<ref name ="miller1"> {{cite web|url= http://www.theoi.com/Text/SenecaHerculesOetaeus.html|title=
Seneca ''Hercules Oetaeus'', translation by Frank Justus Miller|accessdate= 2008-08-25}}</ref><ref name ="frazer1"> {{cite web|url= http://www.theoi.com/Text/Apollodorus2.html|title=
Seneca ''Hercules Oetaeus'', translation by Frank Justus Miller|accessdate= 2008-08-25}}</ref><ref name ="frazer1"> {{cite web|url= http://www.theoi.com/Text/Apollodorus2.html|title=
Apollodorus. The Library Book 2 translation by Frazer|accessdate= 2008-08-25}}</ref>
Apollodorus. The Library Book 2 translation by Frazer|accessdate= 2008-08-25}}</ref>
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==Winning Iole in a contest==
==Winning Iole in a contest==
[[Image:Deianera.jpg|thumb|left|<center>'''Deianera''']]
[[Image:Deianera.jpg|thumb|left|<center>'''Deianera''']]
One day Eurytus promised Iole to whomever could beat his sons in an archery contest.<ref name ="Romanorum1"/><ref name ="frazer1"/> Eurytus was an expert [[archer]] and taught his sons his knowledge of the bow and arrow. Eurytus was so confident that his sons were the best archers around that he had no worry of losing his daughter Iole to another archer. Eurytus was known to say often, ''My dearest Iole, I am not afraid of losing you, for there lives no man who knows the bow as well as I.''<ref> Baldwin, p. 141 </ref> The sons of the king shot hitting their targets. In fact they shot so well that they beat all the others from the kingdom. Heracles heard of the prize and eagerly entered the contest for he very much wanted Iole. Heracles shot and hit the bullseye.<ref name ="baldwin1"/>
One day Eurytus promised Iole to whomever could beat his sons in an archery contest.<ref name ="Romanorum1"/><ref name ="eurytos1"/><ref name ="frazer1"/> Eurytus was an expert [[archer]] and taught his sons his knowledge of the bow and arrow.<ref name ="eurytos1"/> Eurytus was so confident that his sons were the best archers around that he had no worry of losing his daughter Iole to another archer.<ref name ="eurytos1"/> Eurytus was known to say often, ''My dearest Iole, I am not afraid of losing you, for there lives no man who knows the bow as well as I.''<ref> Baldwin, p. 141 </ref> The sons of the king shot hitting their targets. In fact they shot so well that they beat all the others from the kingdom. Heracles heard of the prize and eagerly entered the contest for he very much wanted Iole. Heracles shot and hit the bullseye and even beat Eurytus himself.<ref name ="eurytos1"/><ref name ="baldwin1"/> Eurytus years earlier taught Heracles to become an archer.<ref name ="eurytos1"/>


When the king heard it was Heracles winning, he stopped the contest and would not allow him to participate.<ref name ="miller1"/><ref name ="baldwin1"/><ref name ="frazer1"/> Eurytus was aware that Heracles had killed his [[Megara (mythology)|previous wife]] and children.<ref name ="miller1"/><ref name ="frazer1"/><ref name ="twoprimarysources"> {{cite web|url= http://people.uncw.edu/deagona/herakles/husband.htm|title= Herakles as a Husband|accessdate= 2008-08-20}}</ref> He was afraid that Heracles would very likely kill Iole and any children she may have whenever Heracles would get into a mad rage.<ref name ="Romanorum1"/><ref name ="miller1"/><ref name ="frazer1"/><ref name ="twoprimarysources"/> He based this on the fact that if one had been crazy enough to do this before then it was likely that this madness might afflict a person again.<ref name ="Romanorum1"/><ref name ="frazer1"/> He wished no harm to come to his daughter or any of her future children.<ref name ="Romanorum1"/><ref name ="miller1"/><ref name ="baldwin1"/><ref name ="frazer1"/> Heracles had won the contest fair and square, however was not entitled to the prize because of his reputation.<ref name ="Romanorum1"/><ref name ="miller1"/><ref name ="frazer1"/><ref name ="baldwin1"/> Eurytus broke his promise to give the royal daughter to the winner of the archer contest.<ref name ="Romanorum1"/><ref name ="miller1"/><ref name ="baldwin1"/><ref name ="frazer1"/> Heracles therefore had failed in his courtship to win Iole.<ref name ="plutarch1"> Plutarch - ''Parallel Lives'' - Iola and Clusia</ref>
When the king heard it was Heracles winning, he stopped the contest and would not allow him to participate.<ref name ="miller1"/><ref name ="eurytos1"/><ref name ="baldwin1"/><ref name ="frazer1"/> Eurytus was aware that Heracles had killed his [[Megara (mythology)|previous wife]] and children.<ref name ="miller1"/><ref name ="frazer1"/><ref name ="twoprimarysources"> {{cite web|url= http://people.uncw.edu/deagona/herakles/husband.htm|title= Herakles as a Husband|accessdate= 2008-08-20}}</ref> He was afraid that Heracles would very likely kill Iole and any children she may have whenever Heracles would get into a mad rage.<ref name ="Romanorum1"/><ref name ="miller1"/><ref name ="eurytos1"/><ref name ="frazer1"/><ref name ="twoprimarysources"/> He based this on the fact that if one had been crazy enough to do this before then it was likely that this madness might afflict a person again.<ref name ="Romanorum1"/><ref name ="frazer1"/> He wished no harm to come to his daughter or any of her future children.<ref name ="Romanorum1"/><ref name ="miller1"/><ref name ="baldwin1"/><ref name ="frazer1"/> Heracles had won the contest fair and square, however was not entitled to the prize because of his reputation.<ref name ="Romanorum1"/><ref name ="miller1"/><ref name ="frazer1"/><ref name ="baldwin1"/> Eurytus broke his promise to give the royal daughter to the winner of the archer contest.<ref name ="Romanorum1"/><ref name ="miller1"/><ref name ="baldwin1"/><ref name ="frazer1"/> Heracles therefore had failed in his courtship to win Iole.<ref name ="plutarch1"> Plutarch - ''Parallel Lives'' - Iola and Clusia</ref>


{{main|Deianira}}
{{main|Deianira}}
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Heracles went to Crete where on the steps of the temple Heracles saw [[Deianira]], Prince Meleagrus's sister. It was love at first site and Heracles forgot about Iole, at least for the time being. He wooed her and eventually won her over and married her.<ref name = "greekmy1"> Apollod. ii. 7. § 6; Diod. iv. 36; Soph. Trach. 555, &c.; Ov. Met. ix. 201, &c.; Senec. Herc. Oct. 496, &c.; Paus. x. 38. § 1.</ref> One day three years later Heracles got reckless in his antics and accidently killed the boy Eunomus, the son of Architeles.<ref name ="baldwin1"/><ref name = "greekmy1"/> The punishment for Heracles was that he would be sold into slavery for three years.<ref name ="hercules2"> {{cite web|url= http://www.themystica.com/mythical-folk/articles/hercules_or_heracles.html|title= Greek Mythology - Hercules|accessdate= 2008-08-20}}</ref> He was sold as a slave to a widow in Lydia named Omphale.<ref name ="hercules2"/> Heracles had to do effeminate acts.<ref name ="hercules2"/> He was forced to do duties that typically a women had to do like carry baskets with other maids.<ref name ="miller1"/><ref name ="baldwin1"/><ref name ="hercules2"/>
Heracles went to Crete where on the steps of the temple Heracles saw [[Deianira]], Prince Meleagrus's sister. It was love at first site and Heracles forgot about Iole, at least for the time being. He wooed her and eventually won her over and married her.<ref name = "greekmy1"> Apollod. ii. 7. § 6; Diod. iv. 36; Soph. Trach. 555, &c.; Ov. Met. ix. 201, &c.; Senec. Herc. Oct. 496, &c.; Paus. x. 38. § 1.</ref> One day three years later Heracles got reckless in his antics and accidently killed the boy Eunomus, the son of Architeles.<ref name ="baldwin1"/><ref name = "greekmy1"/> The punishment for Heracles was that he would be sold into slavery for three years.<ref name ="hercules2"> {{cite web|url= http://www.themystica.com/mythical-folk/articles/hercules_or_heracles.html|title= Greek Mythology - Hercules|accessdate= 2008-08-20}}</ref> He was sold as a slave to a widow in Lydia named Omphale.<ref name ="hercules2"/> Heracles had to do effeminate acts.<ref name ="hercules2"/> He was forced to do duties that typically a women had to do like carry baskets with other maids.<ref name ="miller1"/><ref name ="baldwin1"/><ref name ="hercules2"/>


Eventually Heracles' three years of punishment were up and he was out of the slavery of Omphale.<ref name ="hercules2"/> He got a kingdom from the king of [[Ceyx]] at this time. He was still angry at Eurytus and since he was now in control of a kindom and an army he went about to kill him.<ref name ="Romanorum1"/><ref name ="frazer1"/> Heracles not only eventually murdered Eurytus, but he murdered his sons as well.<ref name ="Romanorum1"/><ref name ="frazer1"/><ref name ="hyginus1"> {{cite web|url= http://www.theoi.com/Text/HyginusFabulae1.html|title=
Eventually Heracles' three years of punishment were up and he was out of the slavery of Omphale.<ref name ="hercules2"/> He got a kingdom from the king of [[Ceyx]] at this time. He was still angry at Eurytus and since he was now in control of a kindom and an army he went about to kill him.<ref name ="Romanorum1"/><ref name ="frazer1"/> Heracles not only eventually murdered Eurytus, but he murdered his sons as well.<ref name ="Romanorum1"/><ref name ="eurytos1"/><ref name ="frazer1"/><ref name ="hyginus1"> {{cite web|url= http://www.theoi.com/Text/HyginusFabulae1.html|title=
The Myths of Hyginus, translated and edited by Mary Grant|accessdate= 2008-08-25}}</ref> Hercales ransacked Oichalia.<ref name ="plutarch1"/> Iole tried to get away by jumping down from the city wall.<ref name ="plutarch1"/> It turned out that her garment she was wearing opened up and acted like a [[parachute]] which softened her landing.<ref name ="plutarch1"/> She wasn't hurt from the descent.<ref name ="plutarch1"/> Hercles took Iole unwillingly captive as his [[concubine]].<ref name ="Romanorum1"/><ref name ="twoprimarysources"/><ref name ="plutarch1"/><ref name ="hercules2"/><ref name ="hyginus1"/> In this fit of rage he all but destroyed Oichalia.<ref name ="twoprimarysources"/><ref name ="plutarch1"/><ref name ="hyginus1"/> While Deianira, whom he was already married to, didn’t like the idea that Iola was to become Heracles's concubine, she bit the bullet and tolerated it for the time being.<ref name ="miller1"/><ref name ="twoprimarysources"/>
The Myths of Hyginus, translated and edited by Mary Grant|accessdate= 2008-08-25}}</ref> Hercales ransacked Oichalia.<ref name ="eurytos1"/><ref name ="plutarch1"/> Heracles hurled one of Iole's brothers from the city wall killing him.<ref name ="eurytos1"/> Iole tried to get away by jumping down from the city wall.<ref name ="plutarch1"/> It turned out that her garment she was wearing opened up and acted like a [[parachute]] which softened her landing.<ref name ="plutarch1"/> She wasn't hurt from the descent.<ref name ="plutarch1"/> Hercles took Iole unwillingly captive as his [[concubine]].<ref name ="Romanorum1"/><ref name ="eurytos1"/><ref name ="twoprimarysources"/><ref name ="plutarch1"/><ref name ="hercules2"/><ref name ="hyginus1"/> In this fit of rage he all but destroyed Oichalia.<ref name ="twoprimarysources"/><ref name ="plutarch1"/><ref name ="hyginus1"/> While Deianira, whom he was already married to, didn’t like the idea that Iola was to become Heracles's concubine, she bit the bullet and tolerated it for the time being.<ref name ="miller1"/><ref name ="twoprimarysources"/>


{{main|Shirt of Nessus}}
{{main|Shirt of Nessus}}
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Deianira feared she would lose Heracles to the younger and more beautiful Iole.<ref name ="miller1"/><ref name ="twoprimarysources"/><ref name ="hercules2"/><ref name ="hyginus1"/> She recalled that years before when the [[Nessus (mythology)|centaur Nessus]] ferried her across the river [[Evenus]] he then attemped to rape her when on the other side.<ref name = "greekmy1"/> Heracles saved her from Nessus by shooting him with poisoned arrows.<ref name = "greekmy1"/><ref> Soph. Trach. 558; Apollod. ii. 7. § 4; comp. Heracles.</ref><ref name "ovid9129158"> Ovid, Metamorphoses 9. 129 & 158 ff (trans. Melville) </ref> She had a vial of Nessus' blood she had kept.<ref name ="twoprimarysources"/><ref name ="hercules2"/> Nessus had told her with his dying breath that if she were to give Heracles a cloak [[Chiton (costume)|(chiton)]] soaked in his blood that it was a [[The Shirt of Nessus|special love charm]].<ref name ="frazer1"/><ref name ="hercules2"/><ref> Apollodorus' Library at Perseus Tuft's: 2.7.7</ref><ref name ="ovid1"> {{cite web|url= http://english.edgewood.edu/heroides/hero09n.htm#Deianira|title= Ovid's ''Heroides ix'' - '''Deianira'''|accessdate= 2008-08-23}}</ref> Nessus’ revenge was telling Deianira in a lie that the blood spilling from his wounds could be used as a love charm and using it she could keep Heracles all to herself.<ref name ="Romanorum1"/><ref name ="frazer1"/><ref name = "greekmy1"/><ref name ="hyginus1"/><ref name ="ovid1"/><ref name ="theoi1"> {{cite web|url= http://www.theoi.com/Georgikos/KentaurosNessos.html|title= Theoi Greek Mythology|accessdate= 2008-08-25}}</ref><ref name ="diodorus1"> Diodorus Siculus, Library of History 4. 38. 1</ref> Deianira being insecure believed Nessus’ lie that Heracles would no longer desire any other woman then after he was under the spell of the love philter.<ref name ="frazer1"/><ref name ="twoprimarysources"/><ref name ="hercules2"/><ref name "ovid9129158"/><ref name ="ovid1"/><ref name ="theoi1"/><ref>Ovid, ''Metamorphoses 9. 137 ff''</ref><ref name ="pseudo1"> Pseudo-Apollodorus, Bibliotheca 2. 157</ref><ref name ="diodorus1"> This seemed like the perfect solution to her problem to win him back from Iole, the foreign concubine.<ref name "ovid9129158"/><ref> Ovid, 121 </ref><ref name ="pseudo1"/> Unbeknownst to Deianira the blood was in fact toxic from the poison of Heracles' arrows with the venom of the [[Lernaean Hydra]] which had killed Nessus.<ref name ="frazer1"/><ref name ="twoprimarysources"/><ref name ="hercules2"/><ref name "ovid9129158"/><ref name ="ovid1"/><ref name ="theoi1"/><ref name ="diodorus1"/><ref name ="pseudo1"/>
Deianira feared she would lose Heracles to the younger and more beautiful Iole.<ref name ="miller1"/><ref name ="twoprimarysources"/><ref name ="hercules2"/><ref name ="hyginus1"/> She recalled that years before when the [[Nessus (mythology)|centaur Nessus]] ferried her across the river [[Evenus]] he then attemped to rape her when on the other side.<ref name = "greekmy1"/> Heracles saved her from Nessus by shooting him with poisoned arrows.<ref name = "greekmy1"/><ref> Soph. Trach. 558; Apollod. ii. 7. § 4; comp. Heracles.</ref><ref name "ovid9129158"> Ovid, Metamorphoses 9. 129 & 158 ff (trans. Melville) </ref> She had a vial of Nessus' blood she had kept.<ref name ="twoprimarysources"/><ref name ="hercules2"/> Nessus had told her with his dying breath that if she were to give Heracles a cloak [[Chiton (costume)|(chiton)]] soaked in his blood that it was a [[The Shirt of Nessus|special love charm]].<ref name ="frazer1"/><ref name ="hercules2"/><ref> Apollodorus' Library at Perseus Tuft's: 2.7.7</ref><ref name ="ovid1"> {{cite web|url= http://english.edgewood.edu/heroides/hero09n.htm#Deianira|title= Ovid's ''Heroides ix'' - '''Deianira'''|accessdate= 2008-08-23}}</ref> Nessus’ revenge was telling Deianira in a lie that the blood spilling from his wounds could be used as a love charm and using it she could keep Heracles all to herself.<ref name ="Romanorum1"/><ref name ="frazer1"/><ref name = "greekmy1"/><ref name ="hyginus1"/><ref name ="ovid1"/><ref name ="theoi1"> {{cite web|url= http://www.theoi.com/Georgikos/KentaurosNessos.html|title= Theoi Greek Mythology|accessdate= 2008-08-25}}</ref><ref name ="diodorus1"> Diodorus Siculus, Library of History 4. 38. 1</ref> Deianira being insecure believed Nessus’ lie that Heracles would no longer desire any other woman then after he was under the spell of the love philter.<ref name ="frazer1"/><ref name ="twoprimarysources"/><ref name ="hercules2"/><ref name "ovid9129158"/><ref name ="ovid1"/><ref name ="theoi1"/><ref>Ovid, ''Metamorphoses 9. 137 ff''</ref><ref name ="pseudo1"> Pseudo-Apollodorus, Bibliotheca 2. 157</ref><ref name ="diodorus1"> This seemed like the perfect solution to her problem to win him back from Iole, the foreign concubine.<ref name "ovid9129158"/><ref> Ovid, 121 </ref><ref name ="pseudo1"/> Unbeknownst to Deianira the blood was in fact toxic from the poison of Heracles' arrows with the venom of the [[Lernaean Hydra]] which had killed Nessus.<ref name ="frazer1"/><ref name ="twoprimarysources"/><ref name ="hercules2"/><ref name "ovid9129158"/><ref name ="ovid1"/><ref name ="theoi1"/><ref name ="diodorus1"/><ref name ="pseudo1"/>


Deianira soaked the toxic blood in Heracles' favorite cloak and it was delivered by [[Lichas]], Heracles servant.<ref name ="frazer1"/><ref name ="twoprimarysources"/><ref name ="hyginus1"/><ref name ="hercules2"/><ref name ="ovid1"/><ref name ="diodorus1"/><ref name ="pseudo1"/> Lichas put the cloak on Heracles which stuck to his skin.<ref name ="twoprimarysources"/><ref name ="hercules2"/><ref name ="ovid1"/><ref name ="diodorus1"/><ref name ="pseudo1"/> He immediately went into pain as the poisons were toxic.<ref name ="hyginus1"/><ref name ="ovid1"/><ref name ="theoi1"/><ref name ="diodorus1"/><ref name ="pseudo1"/> The poisons went into Heracles' skin and into his body.<ref name ="frazer1"/><ref name ="hercules2"/><ref name ="hyginus1"/><ref name ="ovid1"/><ref name ="diodorus1"/><ref name ="pseudo1"/> Deianira had accidentally poisoned her own husband with this [[love potion]] because of the jealousy of Iole.<ref name ="frazer1"/><ref name ="Romanorum1"/><ref name ="hyginus1"/><ref name ="theoi1"/> Upon realizing the mistake she had made she killed herself.<ref name ="frazer1"/><ref name ="hyginus1"/><ref name ="ovid1"/> Because of the love for Iole he asked that his eldest son, [[Hyllus]], marry her so that she would be well taken care of.<ref name ="frazer1"/><ref name ="twoprimarysources"/><ref name ="hercules2"/>
Deianira soaked the toxic blood in Heracles' favorite cloak and it was delivered by [[Lichas]], Heracles servant.<ref name ="frazer1"/><ref name ="twoprimarysources"/><ref name ="hyginus1"/><ref name ="hercules2"/><ref name ="ovid1"/><ref name ="diodorus1"/><ref name ="pseudo1"/> Lichas put the cloak on Heracles which stuck to his skin.<ref name ="twoprimarysources"/><ref name ="hercules2"/><ref name ="ovid1"/><ref name ="diodorus1"/><ref name ="pseudo1"/> He immediately went into pain as the poisons were toxic.<ref name ="hyginus1"/><ref name ="ovid1"/><ref name ="theoi1"/><ref name ="diodorus1"/><ref name ="pseudo1"/> The poisons went into Heracles' skin and into his body.<ref name ="frazer1"/><ref name ="hercules2"/><ref name ="hyginus1"/><ref name ="ovid1"/><ref name ="diodorus1"/><ref name ="pseudo1"/> Deianira had accidentally poisoned her own husband with this [[love potion]] because of the jealousy of Iole.<ref name ="Romanorum1"/><ref name ="eurytos1"/><ref name ="frazer1"/><ref name ="hyginus1"/><ref name ="theoi1"/> Upon realizing the mistake she had made she killed herself.<ref name ="frazer1"/><ref name ="hyginus1"/><ref name ="ovid1"/> Because of the love for Iole he asked that his eldest son, [[Hyllus]], marry her so that she would be well taken care of.<ref name ="frazer1"/><ref name ="twoprimarysources"/><ref name ="hercules2"/>


==Other versions==
==Other versions==

Revision as of 21:33, 27 August 2008

For the genus of birds, see Iole (genus).

In Greek mythology, Iole (Ἰόλη) was the daughter of Eurytus, king of Oechalia.[1][2][3] There are different versions of the mythology of Iole and Heracles. According to the mytheme of the Classical tale, the king of Oichalia, Eurytus, had a young daughter that was quite beautiful, eligible for marriage.[2][4] Heracles was totally charmed with Iole and she likwise with Heracles when Eurytus was ruler of Oichalia and she was the princess.[2][5] The general tale is that Iole was claimed by Heracles for a bride.[2][6]

Winning Iole in a contest

Deianera

One day Eurytus promised Iole to whomever could beat his sons in an archery contest.[1][3][6] Eurytus was an expert archer and taught his sons his knowledge of the bow and arrow.[3] Eurytus was so confident that his sons were the best archers around that he had no worry of losing his daughter Iole to another archer.[3] Eurytus was known to say often, My dearest Iole, I am not afraid of losing you, for there lives no man who knows the bow as well as I.[7] The sons of the king shot hitting their targets. In fact they shot so well that they beat all the others from the kingdom. Heracles heard of the prize and eagerly entered the contest for he very much wanted Iole. Heracles shot and hit the bullseye and even beat Eurytus himself.[3][4] Eurytus years earlier taught Heracles to become an archer.[3]

When the king heard it was Heracles winning, he stopped the contest and would not allow him to participate.[2][3][4][6] Eurytus was aware that Heracles had killed his previous wife and children.[2][6][8] He was afraid that Heracles would very likely kill Iole and any children she may have whenever Heracles would get into a mad rage.[1][2][3][6][8] He based this on the fact that if one had been crazy enough to do this before then it was likely that this madness might afflict a person again.[1][6] He wished no harm to come to his daughter or any of her future children.[1][2][4][6] Heracles had won the contest fair and square, however was not entitled to the prize because of his reputation.[1][2][6][4] Eurytus broke his promise to give the royal daughter to the winner of the archer contest.[1][2][4][6] Heracles therefore had failed in his courtship to win Iole.[9]

Main article: Deianira
File:Deïaneira and Nessus Evlahos.jpg
Deïaneira with the centaur Nessus about to be ferried across Evenus
Nessus attempted rape of Deianeira
Heracles killing Nessus with his poisoned arrows saving Deianira

Heracles went to Crete where on the steps of the temple Heracles saw Deianira, Prince Meleagrus's sister. It was love at first site and Heracles forgot about Iole, at least for the time being. He wooed her and eventually won her over and married her.[10] One day three years later Heracles got reckless in his antics and accidently killed the boy Eunomus, the son of Architeles.[4][10] The punishment for Heracles was that he would be sold into slavery for three years.[11] He was sold as a slave to a widow in Lydia named Omphale.[11] Heracles had to do effeminate acts.[11] He was forced to do duties that typically a women had to do like carry baskets with other maids.[2][4][11]

Eventually Heracles' three years of punishment were up and he was out of the slavery of Omphale.[11] He got a kingdom from the king of Ceyx at this time. He was still angry at Eurytus and since he was now in control of a kindom and an army he went about to kill him.[1][6] Heracles not only eventually murdered Eurytus, but he murdered his sons as well.[1][3][6][12] Hercales ransacked Oichalia.[3][9] Heracles hurled one of Iole's brothers from the city wall killing him.[3] Iole tried to get away by jumping down from the city wall.[9] It turned out that her garment she was wearing opened up and acted like a parachute which softened her landing.[9] She wasn't hurt from the descent.[9] Hercles took Iole unwillingly captive as his concubine.[1][3][8][9][11][12] In this fit of rage he all but destroyed Oichalia.[8][9][12] While Deianira, whom he was already married to, didn’t like the idea that Iola was to become Heracles's concubine, she bit the bullet and tolerated it for the time being.[2][8]

Main article: Shirt of Nessus
Deianeira and the dying centaur Nessus telling her of the "love charm" /
"love potion" (his own poisonous blood)

Deianira feared she would lose Heracles to the younger and more beautiful Iole.[2][8][11][12] She recalled that years before when the centaur Nessus ferried her across the river Evenus he then attemped to rape her when on the other side.[10] Heracles saved her from Nessus by shooting him with poisoned arrows.[10][13][14] She had a vial of Nessus' blood she had kept.[8][11] Nessus had told her with his dying breath that if she were to give Heracles a cloak (chiton) soaked in his blood that it was a special love charm.[6][11][15][16] Nessus’ revenge was telling Deianira in a lie that the blood spilling from his wounds could be used as a love charm and using it she could keep Heracles all to herself.[1][6][10][12][16][17][18] Deianira being insecure believed Nessus’ lie that Heracles would no longer desire any other woman then after he was under the spell of the love philter.[6][8][11]Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name (see the help page).[16][17][19][20]Cite error: A <ref> tag is missing the closing </ref> (see the help page).[20] Unbeknownst to Deianira the blood was in fact toxic from the poison of Heracles' arrows with the venom of the Lernaean Hydra which had killed Nessus.[6][8][11]Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name (see the help page).[16][17][18][20]

Deianira soaked the toxic blood in Heracles' favorite cloak and it was delivered by Lichas, Heracles servant.[6][8][12][11][16][18][20] Lichas put the cloak on Heracles which stuck to his skin.[8][11][16][18][20] He immediately went into pain as the poisons were toxic.[12][16][17][18][20] The poisons went into Heracles' skin and into his body.[6][11][12][16][18][20] Deianira had accidentally poisoned her own husband with this love potion because of the jealousy of Iole.[1][3][6][12][17] Upon realizing the mistake she had made she killed herself.[6][12][16] Because of the love for Iole he asked that his eldest son, Hyllus, marry her so that she would be well taken care of.[6][8][11]

Other versions

Another version has Hercules under the erotic control of Iole and she has him dressed in women's clothing and doing women's work. Hercules at this time all the while is bragging about his heroic deeds, however Deianira reminds him how he is dressed in feminine attire and Iole is wearing his clothing and carrying his club. Deianira urges silence from him.

Haec tu Sidonic potes insignitus amictu dicere? non cultu lingua retenta silet?

These deeds can you recount, gaily arrayed in a Sidonian gown?

Does not your dress rob from your tongue all utterance? [21]

Heracles wearing women clothing.
Iole has his clothes, carries his club.

Another version also has Hercules under the spell of Iole. Iole was Heracles's concubine until his death, but only as an artful ruse on her part. Iole was really eager to avenge her father's death. She tricked Heracles into wearing dainty girlish garments and purple cloaks. She convinced him to groom as a female would and to do women’s work.

You are said to have held the basket among the Ionian girls, And to have been afraid at the threats of your mistress. Do you not flee, Hercules, from putting the hand That was victorious in a thousand labors, on the smooth basket? And do you draw the coarse threads with your strong thumb, And do you weigh back an equal weight of wool to your notorious mistress? Ah, how many times while you twisted the threads with your hard fingers, Have you broken the spindles with your powerful hands? Before the feet of your mistress . . .You spoke of the deeds which you should have kept silent about--[22]

Another version shows how Iole became the master of Hercules.

As it was greater to conquer you than to vanquish those you conquered. The full measure of your deeds goes over to her-- Give up your goods; your lover is heir to your praises. O shame! Taken from the sides of a shaggy lion, That lion's skin thatyou usually wore now covers her soft side. You are deceived, and you do not know it. This is not plunder from the lion, But from you; you are the conqueror of the wild beast, and she of you. [23]

Another version shows the disgrace and shame of Hercules, who was once a strong warrior fighter, had been outwitted by Iole in being made to do effeminate acts. In this skillful crafty manner she had avenged her father's death.

Dressed in the same way that you were in Phrygia. She holds her head high to the crowd, as though she had conquered Hercules; You would think that Oechalia still stood, with her father still alive. Perhaps also, with Aetolian Deianira driven out, Putting aside the name of concubine, she will be wife. Iole, daughter of Eurytus, and Hercules of Boeotia. Will be joined with disgraceful bonds by an infamous Hymen.[24]

References

Notes

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "Historiae Romanorum - Iole". Retrieved 2008-08-22.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "Seneca Hercules Oetaeus, translation by Frank Justus Miller". Retrieved 2008-08-25.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "Apollodorus. Bibliotece". Retrieved 2008-08-27.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h "T h e B a l d w i n P r o j e c t - The Life and Labors of Heracles". Retrieved 2008-08-20.
  5. ^ Baldwin, p. 139
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t "Apollodorus. The Library Book 2 translation by Frazer". Retrieved 2008-08-25.
  7. ^ Baldwin, p. 141
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "Herakles as a Husband". Retrieved 2008-08-20.
  9. ^ a b c d e f g Plutarch - Parallel Lives - Iola and Clusia
  10. ^ a b c d e Apollod. ii. 7. § 6; Diod. iv. 36; Soph. Trach. 555, &c.; Ov. Met. ix. 201, &c.; Senec. Herc. Oct. 496, &c.; Paus. x. 38. § 1.
  11. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o "Greek Mythology - Hercules". Retrieved 2008-08-20.
  12. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "The Myths of Hyginus, translated and edited by Mary Grant". Retrieved 2008-08-25.
  13. ^ Soph. Trach. 558; Apollod. ii. 7. § 4; comp. Heracles.
  14. ^ Ovid, Metamorphoses 9. 129 & 158 ff (trans. Melville)
  15. ^ Apollodorus' Library at Perseus Tuft's: 2.7.7
  16. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Ovid's Heroides ix - Deianira". Retrieved 2008-08-23.
  17. ^ a b c d e "Theoi Greek Mythology". Retrieved 2008-08-25.
  18. ^ a b c d e f Diodorus Siculus, Library of History 4. 38. 1
  19. ^ Ovid, Metamorphoses 9. 137 ff
  20. ^ a b c d e f g Pseudo-Apollodorus, Bibliotheca 2. 157
  21. ^ Ovid Heroides Book 9:101-102
  22. ^ Ovid Heroides Book 9:73-84
  23. ^ Ovid Heroides Book 9:108-114
  24. ^ Ovid Heroides Book 9:128-134

Primary sources

  • Ovid, Heroides ix.73-134
  • Ovid, Metamorphoses 9.
  • Servius, In Aeneid viii.291
  • Lactantius, Divinae institutiones i.9
  • Seneca. Tragedies. Translated by Miller, Frank Justus. Loeb Classical Library Volumes. Cambridge, MA, Harvard University Press; London, William Heinemann Ltd. 1917.
  • The Myths of Hyginus, translated and edited by Mary Grant. University of Kansas Publications in Humanistic Studies, no. 34. Lawrence: University of Kansas Press, 1960.
  • Apollodorus. The Library. Translated by Sir James George Frazer. Loeb Classical Library Volumes 121 & 122. Cambridge, MA, Harvard University Press; London, William Heinemann Ltd. 1921.
  • Plutarch. Moralia Vol. IV. Translated by Babbitt, Frank C. Loeb Classical Library Volume 305. Cambridge, MA. Harvard University Press. 1936.

Secondary sources

  • Apollodorus' Library at Perseus Tuft's: 2.6.1, 2.7.7
  • Campbell, Lewis, Sophocles, Appleton (1879), Original from Harvard University
  • Harvey, Elizabeth D., Ventriloquized Voices, Routledge (1992), ISBN 0-4150673-2-4
  • Laurin, Joseph R., Women of Ancient Athens, Trafford Publishing (2006), ISBN 1-4122340-5-0
  • Grant, Michael et al, Who's Who in Classical Mythology, Routledge (2001), ISBN 0-4152604-1-8
  • Lefkowitz, Mary R., Greek Gods, Human Lives, Yale University Press (2003), ISBN 0-3001076-9-2
  • Gregory, Justina, A Companion to Greek Tragedy, Blackwell Publishing (2005), ISBN 1-4051077-0-7
  • Winterson, Jeanette, Weight: The Myth of Atlas and Heracles, Canongate U.S. (2005), ISBN 1-8419571-8-6
  • Baldwin, James, Pyle et al, A Story of the Golden Age, Scribner (1888), Original from the University of California
  • Fowler, Harold North, A History of Ancient Greek Literature, D. Appleton (1902), Original at University of Michigan
  • Colum, Padraic et al, The Golden Fleece and the Heroes who Lived Before Achilles, The Macmillan Company (1921)
  • March, Jenny, Cassell's Dictionary of Classical Mythology, Sterling Publishing Company (2001), ISBN 0-3043578-8-X
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