Heracles in the Ancient Sources: 273 Passages in Greek & English

Hesiod (14)

Hesiod, Shield of Heracles 400–480Heracles kills Cycnus and wounds Ares (400-480)Heracles drives his spear into Cycnus's neck between helmet and shield, and he falls like a lightning-struck oak. Ares attacks next, and although Athena tells him to stop, he is wounded in the thigh and cast down, and Panic and Dread carry him to Olympus. Heracles and Iolaus strip Cycnus's armour and go to Trachis, where Ceyx buries him, but Anaurus, swollen by rain at Apollo's command, washes the grave away.
Hesiod, Shield of Heracles 75–149Heracles and Iolaus arm for battle (75-149)Heracles tells his charioteer Iolaus how Amphitryon came to Thebes after killing Electryon over oxen, and how Iolaus's father lost his senses through Zeus and went to serve the wicked Eurystheus. He bids Iolaus drive straight at Ares, who is raging in Apollo's grove, and Iolaus answers with encouragement. Heracles then arms himself with greaves from Hephaestus, a breastplate from Athena, a quiver, a spear and a helm, and takes up the shield, which has Fear in adamant at its centre with Strife above his brow.
Hesiod, Fragments 2.1–3.16Marriage of Ceyx and the Great EoiaeThe Marriage of Ceyx has Heracles landing from the Argo to look for water and a feast with Ceyx. The Great Eoiae gives genealogies and local legends, among them Epidaurus, Hyettus and Mycene, and Melampus and the serpents.
Hesiod, Shield of Heracles 1–74Alcmena and the birth of Heracles; Cycnus (1-74)The poem opens with Alcmena, the beautiful and faithful daughter of Electryon, whose husband Amphitryon had come to Thebes after killing her father and could not lie with her until he had avenged her brothers on the Taphians and Teleboans. While he is away, Zeus visits her by night and Amphitryon returns the same night, so that she bears twin sons, Heracles to Zeus and Iphicles to Amphitryon. The poem then turns to Heracles' fight with Cycnus, son of Ares, whom he met in the precinct of Apollo.
Hesiod, Theogony 305–334Echidna's offspring: Cerberus, the Hydra, the Chimaera and the Sphinx (305-334)Typhaon is joined in love to Echidna, and their offspring are Orthus, Cerberus, the Hydra and the Chimaera. The Hydra is nourished by Hera and killed by Heracles with Iolaus's help, and the Chimaera is killed by Pegasus and Bellerophon. Echidna and Orthus bear the Sphinx and the Nemean lion, which Hera rears, and the section ends with Ceto and Phorcys's youngest child, the serpent that guards the golden apples.
Hesiod, Fragments 1.1–13Deucalion, Hellen and their descendantsThe Catalogue of Women opens with the descendants of Deucalion and Hellen, saying that Deucalion was the son of Prometheus and Pronoea, that Hellen fathered Dorus, Xuthus and Aeolus, and that Thyia bore Magnes and Macedon to Zeus. The fragments then turn to the Aloiadae, Eurynome, Endymion, the sons of Actor and Molione, Periclymenus, and the sons of Neleus whom Heracles killed. Most are short quotations from later writers who cite Hesiod for a name or a descent.
Hesiod, Fragments 1.97–99Ellopia, a fierce boar and the house of AmphiarausA fragment describes the land of Ellopia, its flocks and cattle, and the oak oracle of Dodona. A longer passage describes a terrible fight in which no mortal could face a boar with gleaming tusks except Heracles. The last fragment gives the seer Amphiaraus, his wife Eriphyle and their son Alcmaeon.
Hesiod, Theogony 505–534The sons of Iapetus: Atlas, Menoetius, Prometheus and Epimetheus (505-534)Iapetus and Clymene have four sons. Menoetius is struck down by Zeus for his arrogance, Atlas is made to hold up the sky, and the crafty Prometheus is bound, with an eagle sent to eat his liver, until Heracles kills it and frees him. Epimetheus, who took the first woman from Zeus, is introduced as a source of trouble for men.
Hesiod, Theogony 930–959Poseidon, Ares, Hermes, Dionysus and Heracles (930-959)Poseidon and Amphitrite have Triton, and Aphrodite bears Panic and Fear to Ares, and Harmonia, whom Cadmus marries. Maia bears Hermes, Semele bears Dionysus and Alcmene bears Heracles, who is finally wed to Hebe and lives among the gods. Hephaestus marries Aglaea, Dionysus marries Ariadne, and Perseis bears Circe and Aeetes to Helios, with Aeetes' daughter Medea at the end.
Hesiod, Shield of Heracles 325–399Athena's counsel; Heracles meets Cycnus (325-399)Athena tells Heracles and Iolaus that Zeus gives them power to kill Cycnus and strip his armour, but that they must only wound Ares and then draw back. When the chariots meet, Heracles tells Cycnus to turn aside because he is bound for King Ceyx at Trachis, and recalls how he once wounded Ares at Pylos. Cycnus refuses, both men leap to the ground, and Zeus thunders and rains drops of blood as the fight begins.
Hesiod, Theogony 265–304Iris, the Harpies, the Graiai, Gorgons and Echidna (265-304)Thaumas and Electra have Iris and the Harpies, and Phorcys and Ceto have the Graiai and the Gorgons. Poseidon lies with Medusa, and when Perseus cuts off her head Chrysaor and the horse Pegasus spring forth; Chrysaor has the three-headed Geryon, whom Heracles kills. The section ends with Echidna, the monstrous child of Ceto and Phorcys, half nymph and half huge snake, who lives in a cave in Arima.
Hesiod, Fragments 1.72–85Athens, Crete and central GreeceThese fragments name Butes, Breyon and Cychreus, and then Minos, Androgeos and Ariadne. They end with the families of Eurytus, Autolycus, Locrus, Ileus, Clymene and Thoas.
Hesiod, Shield of Heracles 150–239The shield of Heracles: war, Lapiths and Centaurs, the harbour, Perseus (150-239)The shield's decoration continues with Pursuit, Flight, Tumult and Panic, deadly Fate dragging a dead man, twelve snake heads, and boars and lions glaring at one another. Other scenes show the Lapiths fighting the Centaurs, Ares in his golden chariot with Athena, the gods on Olympus where Apollo plays the lyre and the Muses sing, and a harbour with dolphins and a fisherman. Perseus, wearing the cap of Hades and carrying the Gorgon's head, flies above the shield while the Gorgons pursue him, and beyond him men fight for and against a town.
Hesiod, Shield of Heracles 240–324The shield of Heracles: the besieged city and the city at peace (240-324)A besieged city shows women crying from bronze towers, old men praying outside the gates, and the dusky Fates, Clotho, Lachesis and Atropos, fighting over the fallen. Beside it is a city with seven golden gates at peace, with wedding processions, dancing and flute-playing, and then ploughmen, reapers, vintagers, boxers, huntsmen and charioteers racing for a tripod. Ocean flows round the rim with swans and fish, and the son of Zeus mounts his chariot with Iolaus.

Homer (9)

Homer, Iliad 2.645–785The Catalogue of Ships (3): Crete, Achilles' Myrmidons and ThessalyThe Catalogue turns to the Cretans under Idomeneus, Tlepolemus of Rhodes and Nireus of Syme. It lists Achilles' Myrmidons, who lie idle by their ships while he nurses his wrath, and then the contingents from Thessaly, including those of Protesilaus, Philoctetes and Eumelus. The poet asks the Muse who were the best of the men and horses, and names Ajax as the best man while Achilles was angry.
Homer, Odyssey 11.568–640Minos, Orion and the great sinnersOdysseus sees Minos judging the dead with a golden sceptre, and Orion driving wild beasts across a meadow. He sees Tityos, Tantalus and Sisyphus in their torments, and then the ghost of Heracles, while Heracles himself is among the gods. Heracles speaks of his labours and of the dog of Hades, and Odysseus waits for more heroes, but the ghosts flock round him with a great cry, and he returns to the ship in fear.
Homer, Iliad 5.627–710Tlepolemus and SarpedonTlepolemus, a son of Heracles, and Sarpedon meet and trade boasts, and Sarpedon's spear kills Tlepolemus, though Sarpedon is himself wounded in the thigh. His comrades carry him from the field and lay him beneath the oak of Zeus, and Odysseus, wondering whether to pursue him, instead kills many Lycians. Sarpedon begs Hector not to leave him a prey to the Danaans.
Homer, Iliad 14.224–360Hera and Sleep: the deception of Zeus on IdaHera goes to Lemnos and asks Sleep to lull Zeus once she has lain with him, promising him the young Grace Pasithea as his wife. They go to Ida, where Sleep perches in a fir-tree in the likeness of a bird, and Hera approaches Zeus, who is seized with desire for her. He persuades her to lie with him at once, hiding them in a golden cloud, and Sleep binds him, then goes to tell Poseidon to help the Danaans while Zeus sleeps.
Homer, Iliad 19.74–153Achilles ends his wrath; Agamemnon's speech on AteAchilles calls an assembly, and even those who had stayed in the camp come, last of all the wounded Agamemnon. Achilles says that the quarrel over the girl has brought no good to anyone, declares that he ends his wrath, and bids the Achaeans arm. Agamemnon says that Ate, the eldest daughter of Zeus, blinded him, as she once blinded Zeus himself when Hera tricked him over the birth of Heracles, and he offers the promised gifts.
Homer, Iliad 20.75–155Apollo rouses Aeneas; the gods sit apartAchilles wants above all to meet Hector, but Apollo, in the likeness of Lycaon, goads Aeneas into facing him. Aeneas protests that some god always stands beside Achilles, and Apollo answers that he too is the son of a goddess, Aphrodite, and should pray to the gods. Hera tells Poseidon and Athena that the gods should stand by Achilles, but Poseidon proposes that they sit apart on the wall of Heracles and join the fight only if Ares or Apollo begin it.
Homer, Odyssey 21.1–100Penelope fetches the bowAthena puts it into the heart of Penelope to set the contest of the bow before the suitors. She goes to the store-room, takes down the great bow of Odysseus, which he had been given by Iphitus in Messene, and weeps over it. She comes down to the hall with her maids and announces that she will marry the man who strings the bow and shoots through twelve axes.
Homer, Homerica 2.1–4.2Lost epics, Margites and CercopesThe first pieces are ancient notes on epics ascribed to Homer: the Expedition of Amphiaraus, the Taking of Oechalia and the Phocais. The Margites, a comic poem about a man who knew many things badly, survives in a few lines, and the Cercopes in a note on the thieving brothers Passalus and Acmon.
Homer, The Homeric Hymns 12.1–18.12Hymns 12 to 18: Hera, Demeter, the Mother of the Gods, Heracles, Asclepius, the Dioscuri and HermesSeven short hymns. Hera is praised as queen of the immortals, sister and wife of Zeus, and Demeter and her daughter Persephone are asked to keep the city safe. The Mother of the Gods delights in rattles and timbrels, Heracles, born to Alcmena, now lives on Olympus with Hebe, Asclepius is born to Coronis, the Dioscuri are born to Leda, and Hermes is born to Maia.

Apollodorus (13)

Apollodorus, The Library (Bibliotheca), with the Epitome 2.7.1–8Heracles' wars, Deianira and the death of HeraclesHera's storms drive Heracles to Cos on his way back from Troy, and he then fights beside the gods against the Giants. He campaigns against Augeas and the Molionides in Elis, against Pylos and against Hippocoon in Sparta, and fathers Telephus by Auge. He wins Deianira from Achelous and kills the centaur Nessus at the Evenus; after taking Oechalia, he puts on the robe stained with Nessus's blood and burns on Mount Oeta, rising to heaven and marrying Hebe. The section ends with a long list of his children, among them his sons by the daughters of Thespius.
Apollodorus, The Library (Bibliotheca), with the Epitome 2.4.6–12Amphitryon, Alcmene and the youth of HeraclesElectryon's sons are killed in a cattle raid by the Taphians, and Amphitryon accidentally kills Electryon and takes refuge at Thebes, where he wins the Teleboan war with the help of Cephalus's dog. Zeus lies with Alcmene in Amphitryon's likeness and she bears Heracles and Iphicles; the infant Heracles strangles the serpents Hera sends. Heracles is taught by several masters, kills the lion of Cithaeron after fathering children by Thespius's fifty daughters, and defeats the Minyans of Erginus. Hera then drives him mad and he kills his children, and the Pythia at Delphi names him Heracles and sends him to serve Eurystheus.
Apollodorus, The Library (Bibliotheca), with the Epitome 2.5.7–10The Labours of Heracles (7-10): the Cretan Bull to Geryon's CattleHeracles brings the Cretan bull to Mycenae and takes the man-eating mares of Diomedes of Thrace, founding Abdera. For the belt of Hippolyte he sails to the Amazons, kills her after Hera stirs up trouble, and on the way home saves Hesione from the sea monster at Troy, which Laomedon will not pay for. For the tenth labour he crosses to Erytheia, kills Geryon and his herdsman and dog, and drives the cattle home through Italy and Sicily, wrestling Eryx and enduring Hera's gadfly.
Apollodorus, The Library (Bibliotheca), with the Epitome 2.5.11–12The Labours of Heracles (11-12): the Golden Apples and CerberusBecause the hydra and the stables are not counted, two more labours are added. For the golden apples of the Hesperides Heracles seizes Nereus to learn the way, defeats Antaeus and Busiris, frees Prometheus from the eagle, and gets the apples by tricking Atlas into taking the sky back. He is initiated at Eleusis, goes down to Hades by Taenarum, raises Theseus (but not Pirithous), wrestles Menoetes, and carries Cerberus up to Eurystheus and back.
Apollodorus, The Library (Bibliotheca), with the Epitome 2.5.1–6The Labours of Heracles (1-6): the Nemean Lion to the Stymphalian BirdsHeracles goes to Tiryns and serves Eurystheus, who sets him labours. He strangles the Nemean lion, kills the Lernaean hydra with Iolaus's help, takes the Cerynitian hind alive, and captures the Erymanthian boar after the fight with the centaurs at Pholus's cave, in which Chiron is wounded. He then cleans the stables of Augeas by diverting two rivers, and scares off the Stymphalian birds with Athena's castanets. Eurystheus refuses to count the hydra and the stables, because Iolaus helped and Augeas paid a wage.
Apollodorus, The Library (Bibliotheca), with the Epitome 2.6.1–4Heracles, Iphitus and OmphaleAfter the labours Heracles wins the archery contest for Iole but is refused, and later, in a fresh fit of madness, throws Iphitus from the walls of Tiryns. Struck with disease, he tries to carry off the Delphic tripod, and is told to be sold into slavery for three years; he serves Omphale of Lydia, binds the Cercopes and kills Syleus. Afterwards he sails against Troy, sacks it and kills Laomedon, and Telamon gets Hesione, whose brother Podarces is ransomed and renamed Priam.
Apollodorus, The Library (Bibliotheca), with the Epitome 1.6.1–3The Giants and TyphonEarth bears the Giants, led by Alcyoneus and Porphyrion, and because an oracle says no god can kill them, Zeus summons Heracles; the section lists which god kills which Giant. Earth then bears Typhon, who drives the gods to Egypt, takes Zeus's sinews and hides them in a Cilician cave until Hermes and Aegipan steal them back. Zeus pursues him through Thrace and Sicily and buries him under Mount Etna.
Apollodorus, The Library (Bibliotheca), with the Epitome 1.9.16–22Jason and the Argonauts: the voyage to PhineusPelias is warned against the man with one sandal and sends Jason to fetch the Golden Fleece from Colchis. Argus builds the Argo, the crew is listed, and the ship calls at Lemnos, at the land of the Doliones where Cyzicus is killed by mistake, and at Mysia, where Hylas is lost and Heracles is left behind. Polydeuces kills Amycus of the Bebryces, and at Salmydessus Zetes and Calais drive the Harpies from the seer Phineus, who tells the crew how to pass the Clashing Rocks.
Apollodorus, The Library (Bibliotheca), with the Epitome 2.8.1–5The return of the HeraclidsAfter Heracles' death his sons flee from Eurystheus to Athens, where Eurystheus is killed by Hyllus and Alcmena gouges out the eyes of his severed head. The Heraclids retake the Peloponnese but are driven out by a plague, and Hyllus and Aristomachus are defeated when they misread the oracle about 'the third crop'. Temenus and the sons of Aristodemus finally conquer it with Oxylus as their 'three-eyed' guide, draw lots for Argos, Lacedaemon and Messene (Cresphontes cheats with a clod of earth), and the section closes with the murder of Temenus and the revenge of Aepytus in Messene.
Apollodorus, The Library (Bibliotheca), with the Epitome 3.12.1–7Dardanus, Priam and the royal house of TroyElectra's son Dardanus founds the line of the Trojan kings through Erichthonius and Tros, to Ganymede, Anchises and Ilus. Ilus founds Ilium on the spot where the cow lies down and receives the Palladium, and Laomedon and Priam follow him, with Tithonus and Memnon among Laomedon's line. The section lists Priam's children, including Hecuba's dream before Paris's birth, Cassandra's gift, and Paris and Oenone, and ends with the sons of Aeacus, Peleus and Telamon, the murder of Phocus and the birth of Ajax and Teucer.
Apollodorus, The Library (Bibliotheca), with the Epitome 1.7.1–10Prometheus, Deucalion's flood and the family of HellenPrometheus moulds men from water and earth, steals fire for them and is nailed to Mount Caucasus, where an eagle eats his liver until Heracles frees him. His son Deucalion survives Zeus's flood in a chest with Pyrrha and makes new people from stones; their son Hellen gives the Greeks their name and divides the country among Dorus, Xuthus and Aeolus. The section then follows Aeolus's children: the Aloads Otus and Ephialtes who pile Ossa and Pelion on Olympus, Endymion, Aetolus, Evenus and Marpessa, and the house of Thestius.
Apollodorus, The Library (Bibliotheca), with the Epitome 1.9.1–15Athamas, Sisyphus, Salmoneus, Melampus and AdmetusThe sons of Aeolus: Athamas, whose children Phrixus and Helle flee on the golden ram and who later loses Ino and Learchus to madness, then Sisyphus, Deion, Perieres, Magnes and Salmoneus, who is struck down for impersonating Zeus. Salmoneus's daughter Tyro bears Pelias and Neleus to Poseidon, and the section follows Neleus and Nestor at Pylus, Pelias in Thessaly, and Cretheus's line with the seer Melampus winning Pero for his brother Bias. It ends with Pheres, Admetus and Alcestis.
Apollodorus, The Library (Bibliotheca), with the Epitome 3.9.1–2Arcas, Auge and Telephus; Atalanta and MelanionArcas has two sons, Elatus and Aphidas, who divide the land; Aphidas's son Aleus has a daughter, Auge, who bears Telephus to Heracles and is sent away to Teuthras in Mysia. Lycurgus's son Iasus has a daughter, Atalanta, who is exposed but suckled by a she-bear and raised by hunters. She kills the centaurs who attack her, wrestles Peleus and hunts the Calydonian boar, and Melanion wins her in a foot race with Aphrodite's golden apples; both are later turned into lions, and their son is Parthenopaeus.

Pindar (11)

Pindar, Olympian Odes 10.1–105Olympian 10: for Hagesidamus — Heracles and the first Olympic gamesPindar owes Hagesidamus of Locri a song for his boxing victory and praises the Western Locrians and the trainer Ilas, whom he likens to Achilles beside Patroclus. He tells how Heracles killed the Molionidae and punished Augeas, then founded the Olympic games beside the tomb of Pelops, with altars to the gods and the naming of the hill of Cronus. He lists the first winners and compares the victor to Ganymede.
Pindar, Olympian Odes 3.1–45Olympian 3: for Theron — Heracles and the olive treePindar prays to the Dioscuri and to Helen as he honours Theron of Acragas, victor in the chariot race, and links his crown to the olive of Olympia. He tells how Heracles, who had set up the games, brought the olive from the land of the Hyperboreans and the Ister to shade the bare precinct of Pelops, after chasing the golden-horned hind for Eurystheus. He ends by saying that Theron's prowess has reached the pillars of Heracles, beyond which none can go.
Pindar, Isthmian Odes 6.1–75Isthmian 6: for Phylacidas — Heracles and TelamonPindar mixes a second bowl of song for the house of Lampon after the pancratium victory of Phylacidas. He tells how Heracles, as Telamon's guest, prayed to Zeus for a son and Zeus sent an eagle, so that the child was named Aias, and how Heracles sailed with Telamon against Troy and killed Laomedon and his sons. He ends with the victories of Phylacidas, Pytheas and their uncle Euthymenes, who has won at the Isthmus and Nemea.
Pindar, Nemean Odes 10.1–90Nemean 10: for Theaeus — Castor and PolydeucesPindar praises Argos, the city of Danaüs and Hera, and its famous heroes, among them Proetus, and the victories of Theaeus in wrestling. He tells how Idas killed Castor in a quarrel over cattle, how Polydeuces prayed to Zeus to die with his brother, and how Zeus allowed them to share their fate by living alternately under the earth and on Olympus.
Pindar, Olympian Odes 7.1–95Olympian 7: for Diagoras — Rhodes and the HeliadaePindar compares his gift of song to a golden bowl given by a father to his son-in-law and praises Diagoras of Rhodes, boxing victor, and Rhodes, bride of the Sun. He recalls Tlepolemus, son of Heracles, who killed Licymnius and founded the Rhodian cities, and tells how Zeus rained gold on the island when Athena sprang from his head, and how the Heliadae learned craft from her. The Sun, forgotten at the first division of the earth, then claimed the island that rose from the sea; the ode ends with a prayer to Zeus for Diagoras and the Eratidae.
Pindar, Olympian Odes 9.1–112Olympian 9: for Epharmostus — Deucalion and OpusPindar praises Epharmostus of Opus, wrestling victor, and Opus, mother-city of the Locrians, and begs his lips to speak no ill of the gods, recalling Heracles' battles with Poseidon, Phoebus and Hades at Pylos. He tells how Deucalion and Pyrrha made a people from stones, and how Zeus took the daughter of Opus of Elis to Locrus, who named her son Opus after her father. The ode ends with Epharmostus' other victories and a tribute to his skill.
Pindar, Nemean Odes 1.1–72Nemean 1: for Chromius — Ortygia and the infant HeraclesPindar greets Ortygia, the cradle of Syracuse, and praises Chromius of Aetna, victor with the chariot, for his wealth and hospitality, recalling Zeus' gift of Sicily to Persephone. He tells how the infant Heracles strangled the two serpents sent by Hera, while Amphitryon and the Cadmeans hastened in, and how Teiresias foretold his labours against monsters and giants and his marriage to Hebe.
Pindar, Nemean Odes 3.1–84Nemean 3: for Aristocleides — the Aeacidae and CheironPindar calls on the Muse to come to Aegina for the pancratiast Aristocleides, and says that victory in the contest heals its blows. He recalls the Aeacidae: Peleus, who took Iolcus and won the sea-nymph Thetis, Telamon, who followed Heracles against Laomedon, and Achilles, whom Cheiron trained in all the arts of a hero. The ode ends with the virtues that suit each age of life.
Pindar, Nemean Odes 7.1–105Nemean 7: for Sogenes — Neoptolemus at DelphiPindar invokes Eleithyia, goddess of birth, and praises Sogenes of Aegina, boys' pentathlon victor, saying that song gives fame to the deeds of heroes. He tells how Neoptolemus, who sacked Troy, lies buried at Pytho after being struck down in a quarrel over the sacrifice, and defends himself against the charge of having slandered him. He ends by praising the Aeginetan hero's family and warning against idle talk like babbling to babes of 'Corinth, the city of Zeus'.
Pindar, Isthmian Odes 3.1–4.72Isthmians 3-4: for Melissus — Ajax and Heracles against AntaeusIsthmian 3 praises Melissus of Thebes, victor in the chariot race, and says that the gods alone are free from change. Isthmian 4 praises his pancratium victory at the Isthmus, recalls Ajax who fell on his own sword at Troy, and tells how the Theban hero Heracles, small of stature but unflinching, went to the land of Antaeus in Libya to put a stop to his murders. It ends with the trainer Orseas, whose name Pindar joins with that of the victor.
Pindar, Isthmian Odes 7.1–51Isthmian 7: for Strepsiades — the glories of ThebesPindar asks Thebe which of her ancient glories pleased her most: the birth of Dionysus, the begetting of Heracles, the counsels of Teiresias, the horseman Iolaüs, the dragon-brood, the return of Adrastus to Argos, or the colony of the Aegeidae at Amyclae. He says that old glory sleeps unless it is sung, and praises Strepsiades of Thebes, victor in the pancratium, and his uncle who died in the van of the Theban army. He ends with a prayer to Apollo for a crown from Pytho.

Sophocles (19)

Sophocles, Women of Trachis 1193–1278Exodos (cont.): the pyre on Oeta; Heracles' last commandsHeracles orders Hyllus to carry him to Oeta and to lay him on a pyre, and Hyllus, who refuses to light the pyre himself, finally agrees to everything. Heracles also orders him to marry Iole, and Hyllus, who blames her for his mother's death, resists but gives way. As the attendants lift Heracles, Hyllus laments the cruelty of the gods and tells the Chorus that in all this there is nothing that is not Zeus.
Sophocles, Women of Trachis 1112–1142Exodos (cont.): Hyllus explains what Deianeira didHyllus tells his father that Deianeira is dead by her own hand, and that she did wrong but with a good intent. He explains that she meant to apply a love-charm to win back Heracles' heart, and that the centaur Nessus had persuaded her long ago to use it.
Sophocles, Women of Trachis 1143–1192Exodos (cont.): Heracles understands the oracle and swears Hyllus to obeyHeracles realises that he is lost, and tells Hyllus that his father Zeus had foretold that he would be killed by one already dead, and that the oak among the Selli foretold the end of his labours at this time. He asks Hyllus to bring his brothers and Alcmena, who are at Tiryns and Thebes, and to carry out his commands. Hyllus swears by Zeus to do his father's bidding, and Heracles asks whether he knows the summit of Oeta.
Sophocles, Women of Trachis 205–292First stasimon; Lichas arrives with the captive womenThe Chorus call on the women to raise a cry of joy for the return of Heracles and for Apollo and Artemis. Lichas arrives with a group of captive women and tells Deianeira that her husband is alive and about to offer sacrifice at Cape Cenaeum in Euboea. He says that Heracles was kept for a year in servitude to Omphale in Lydia as a penalty for killing Iphitus by treachery, and that he then sacked the city of Eurytus.
Sophocles, Women of Trachis 497–587Second stasimon; Deianeira plans to win back her husbandThe Chorus sing of the power of Cypris, and of the fight between Heracles and the river-god Achelous for the hand of Deianeira. Deianeira comes out and tells the women that she fears the younger woman, and that she has a way to win back her husband's love. She says that the centaur Nessus, whom Heracles shot with an arrow when he tried to assault her at the river, told her to use his blood as a charm, and that she has smeared a robe with it.
Sophocles, Women of Trachis 335–430Second episode (cont.): the Messenger exposes LichasThe Messenger stops Deianeira from going in and tells her that Lichas has been lying. He says that he heard Lichas declare in public that Heracles destroyed the city of Eurytus for love of the girl, who is Iole, Eurytus' daughter. Deianeira is shocked, and when she questions Lichas he says that the girl is a Euboean of unknown birth, and denies that he ever said otherwise.
Sophocles, Women of Trachis 431–496Second episode (cont.): Lichas confessesDeianeira begs Lichas by Zeus not to hide the truth from her, saying that she knows that all men are subject to desire and that she will not blame Heracles or the girl. Lichas admits that the Messenger is right, that Heracles sacked Oechalia out of passion for the girl, and that he did not tell her out of fear of causing her pain. Deianeira says that she will not fight the gods, and goes in to bring gifts for Heracles.
Sophocles, Women of Trachis 1–93Prologue: Deianeira, the Nurse and HyllusDeianeira tells how, as a girl at Pleuron, she feared marriage to the river-god Achelous until Heracles rescued her by fighting him, and how her married life has been one long worry for her absent husband. She says that he has now been away for fifteen months and left a tablet with oracles about this time. At the Nurse's suggestion, she sends their son Hyllus to look for his father, who is said to be making war on Euboea.
Sophocles, Women of Trachis 141–204First episode: the tablet and the Messenger's good newsDeianeira tells the women what Heracles left with her before he went: a tablet foretelling that after fifteen months he would either die or live free from toil, and she says that this is the moment. A Messenger from the army, crowned with garlands, announces that Heracles is alive and victorious and that his herald Lichas is on his way. Deianeira prays in joy to Zeus.
Sophocles, Women of Trachis 633–730Third stasimon; Deianeira discovers the effect of the charmThe Chorus sing that Heracles will soon return and that the long wait is at an end. Deianeira comes out in alarm and tells the women that the tuft of wool with which she anointed the robe crumbled to dust in the sunlight and seethed with foam, and that what she has done now seems terrible. She says that the centaur would not have wished to help the man who shot him, and that if Heracles dies she will die with him.
Sophocles, Women of Trachis 863–946Fifth episode: the Nurse reports the death of DeianeiraA cry is heard from the house, and the Nurse comes out to say that Deianeira has killed herself with a sword. She tells how Deianeira, after wandering in the house and saying goodbye to her household gods and the bridal bed, lay down on the bed of Heracles and drove a sword into her side. She says that Hyllus, who learned too late that his mother was innocent, wept over her.
Sophocles, Women of Trachis 947–1042Exodos: Heracles is carried inThe Chorus see Heracles carried in on a litter by attendants, with Hyllus, and an old man tells them to keep silent, since he is asleep. He wakes in agony and cries out against the pain, and asks for someone to strike off his head with sword or fire. He tells Hyllus to lift him and to end his life with a sword, and curses Deianeira.

7 more passages of Sophocles that name Heracles

Euripides (46)

Euripides, Alcestis 1037–1117Exodos: Admetus reluctantly agrees to take the womanAdmetus explains that he was not unkind and hid his grief only out of hospitality, and that the sight of another woman in the house of Alcestis would be unbearable. Heracles insists, and Admetus, against his will, at last agrees to take her hand.
Euripides, Alcestis 507–568Third episode: Admetus conceals Alcestis' death and welcomes HeraclesAdmetus comes out, and Heracles notices his shorn hair and asks who is dead. Admetus, wishing to receive his friend, answers that it is a woman who is not of his family and who lived in his house. He orders his servants to take Heracles to the guest rooms and close the doors so that the noise of mourning will not be heard, and the Chorus is amazed that he welcomes a guest in his grief.
Euripides, Heracles 1088–1145Exodos: Heracles wakes and learns what he has doneHeracles wakes, not knowing where he is, and is bewildered to find himself bound among bodies, and asks his father what has happened. Amphitryon at first cannot tell him, but at last, urged on by Heracles, says that he has killed his children, and Heracles learns what he has done.
Euripides, Heracles 1394–1428Exodos: Heracles leaves for Athens with TheseusTheseus tells him to rise, since he has had his fill of tears, and offers his arm as a guide. Heracles asks his father to bury the children, and says that he will follow Theseus to Athens like a little boat in the wake of a ship, and bids Amphitryon farewell; the Chorus leaves in tears, having lost its friend.
Euripides, Heracles 523–561Second episode: Heracles hears what has happened in his absenceHeracles greets his house with joy, and is surprised to see his children before the house in the robes of the dead, and asks what has happened. Megara tells him that they are being ruined, and that Lycus has killed her father and seized power, and was going to kill the children and the family. Heracles learns that his friends have deserted him, and that misfortune has no friends.
Euripides, Alcestis 476–506Third episode: Heracles arrives on his way to ThraceHeracles asks the Chorus whether Admetus is at home, and the Chorus tells him that he is. Heracles says that he is on his way to Thrace to take the horses of Diomedes for Eurystheus, and the Chorus warns him of the man-eating horses and their master, a son of Ares. Heracles answers that no one will ever see him tremble before a foe.
Euripides, Heracles 1204–1254Exodos: Theseus finds the veiled HeraclesAmphitryon asks his son to take the mantle from his eyes and show his face to the sun, and Theseus says that no darkness is black enough to hide the misery, and tells him to show his face to his friends. Theseus has come with an army of Athenians to help in the fight against Lycus, and learns what has happened.
Euripides, Alcestis 1118–1163Exodos: Heracles restores Alcestis to AdmetusHeracles tells Admetus to look at the woman, and Admetus, amazed, sees his wife, and wonders whether it is a ghost. Heracles tells him that he has wrestled with the god and won her back, but that she may not speak to him until she has been purified for three days. He departs, and Admetus calls on his people to hold dances and sacrifices; the Chorus ends the play.
Euripides, Alcestis 747–816Fifth episode: the Attendant reproaches Heracles for feastingAn Attendant says that he has seen many guests, but never one so shameless as Heracles, who drinks and sings while the house is in mourning. Heracles calls him over and tells him to be cheerful, since life is short, and says that wine and the favour of Cypris are the only things that matter. The Attendant refuses to join in.
Euripides, Heracles 610–636Second episode: Heracles tells of his return from HadesAmphitryon asks whether it is true that Heracles went to the house of Hades, and whether the monster is lodged in the house of Eurystheus, who does not know that he has returned. Heracles says that he stayed to try to bring Theseus back from Hades, and that Theseus has gone to Athens. He tells the children to come into the house with him, and says that all men love their children.
Euripides, Heracles 1–59Prologue: Amphitryon explains the plight of Heracles' familyAmphitryon, who shared a wife with Zeus and is the father of Heracles, tells how he came to Thebes, where Creon gave his daughter Megara to Heracles. He says that Heracles has gone to Hades to bring back the hound of hell, and that in his absence Lycus has killed Creon and seized power, and that he now threatens to kill Megara, her sons and Amphitryon, who sit as suppliants at the altar of Zeus the Saviour.
Euripides, Heracles 562–609Second episode: Heracles resolves on vengeance against LycusHeracles tells them to cast away the chaplets of death and look up to the light, and says that he will go and kill the new ruler of the land, and that he will not be called a weakling. Amphitryon tells him that the king has many allies, rich in pretence, and warns him against rousing the city by attacking in daylight, and Heracles says that he came in secretly because he saw a bird in an unlucky position.

34 more passages of Euripides that name Heracles

Apollonius Rhodius (9)

Apollonius Rhodius, Argonautica 1.1153–1260Heracles' oar breaks and Hylas is lostThe heroes compete at rowing until Heracles breaks his oar, and they land among the Mysians. While Heracles goes into the wood to shape a new oar, Hylas goes to a spring for water and a nymph draws him into the pool. Polyphemus hears his cry and tells Heracles that the boy has been carried off.
Apollonius Rhodius, Argonautica 1.1261–1362Heracles and Polyphemus are left behindHeracles searches wildly for Hylas, and at dawn Argo sails on without him and Polyphemus. Telamon accuses Jason of leaving Heracles behind on purpose, until the sea-god Glaucus rises from the waves and declares what Zeus has fated for Heracles and for Polyphemus. Telamon and Jason are reconciled.
Apollonius Rhodius, Argonautica 4.1393–1536The Hesperides' spring; the deaths of Canthus and MopsusThe heroes search for water and find the Hesperides, who show them the spring that Heracles made. Scouts go out to look for Heracles; Canthus is killed by a shepherd, and Mopsus dies of a snake's bite, and both are buried.
Apollonius Rhodius, Argonautica 1.306–447Jason is chosen leader and Argo is launchedJason walks to the shore at Pagasae, where the heroes assemble and he asks them to choose the bravest as leader. They offer the command to Heracles, who refuses and names Jason instead. Argo is launched and the heroes draw lots for their benches, and Jason sacrifices to Apollo while the seer Idmon reads the omens as good and foretells his own death in Asia.
Apollonius Rhodius, Argonautica 1.989–1077The Earthborn monsters and the night battle at CyzicusWhile most of the heroes are on Dindymum, Heracles and the younger men kill the six-armed Earthborn monsters who block the harbour with rocks. After the Argonauts sail, contrary winds bring them back by night; the Doliones take them for enemies and in the battle Jason kills Cyzicus. At dawn the mistake is seen, the heroes bury the king, and his bride Cleite hangs herself.
Apollonius Rhodius, Argonautica 2.720–814Lycus and the MariandyniArgo reaches the Acherusian headland in the land of the Mariandyni, whose king Lycus welcomes the slayers of Amycus and honours Polydeuces as a god. Jason tells the story of the voyage, and Lycus, who remembers Heracles, praises him. At dawn Lycus sends his son Dascylus with them as a guide.
Apollonius Rhodius, Argonautica 1.122–233The catalogue of the Argonauts, continuedHeracles leaves the Erymanthian boar at Mycenae and joins the expedition with Hylas. The catalogue goes on with Nauplius, Idmon, Castor and Polydeuces, Idas and Lynceus, Euphemus, Meleager, and Zetes and Calais, the winged sons of Boreas, and ends with Acastus and Argus. The poet adds that the whole company was called the Minyae.
Apollonius Rhodius, Argonautica 1.721–909Jason and Hypsipyle on LemnosJason puts on the purple mantle that Athena gave him, woven with scenes such as the Cyclopes at their forge, and goes to the city. Hypsipyle tells him how the women drove out the men and offers him her father's rule. The Argonauts linger on Lemnos until Heracles rebukes them, and Hypsipyle bids Jason a tearful farewell.
Apollonius Rhodius, Argonautica 2.911–1029Sthenelus' barrow, Sinope and the AmazonsThe ghost of Sthenelus appears at his barrow and the heroes pour libations. Argo passes the Parthenius, takes on Deileon, Autolycus and Phlogius at Sinope, and puts in at the mouth of the Thermodon, where the Amazons are arming. Sailing on, the heroes pass the Chalybes, the Tibareni with their strange custom, and the Mossynoeci.

Callimachus (1)

Callimachus, Hymns 3.1–268Hymn to Artemis: the goddess's childhood wishesAs a small girl on her father's knees, Artemis asks Zeus to let her stay a maiden for ever and to give her a bow, a short tunic, sixty nymphs of Oceanus for her choir and twenty nymphs of Amnisus to tend her hounds, and Zeus smiles and grants it, adding cities. She visits the Cyclopes on Lipara for her arrows, takes hounds from Pan in Arcadia and captures four golden-horned deer for her chariot. The poet praises her favourite places and companions, among them Britomartis, Cyrene and Atalanta, and her shrines at Miletus and Ephesus. He ends with a warning to those who wronged her, such as Oeneus, Otus and Orion.

Theocritus (5)

Theocritus, Idylls 24.1–140Idyll 24: The infant HeraclesAlcmena lulls Heracles and Iphicles to sleep, but at midnight two snakes sent by Hera crawl into the room. Alcmena wakes and calls Amphitryon, who hurries in with armed servants and finds the child Heracles clutching both snakes. Tiresias is called and foretells the labours of Heracles, and the poem ends with the boy's upbringing and training.
Theocritus, Idylls 13.1–75Idyll 13: HylasThe poet tells Nicias that Love was not first born for them, for Heracles, who killed the lion, loved the boy Hylas. When the Argo stops, Hylas goes to fetch water and the nymphs of the spring draw him in. Heracles searches for him in a fury, and the Argo sails without him.
Theocritus, Idylls 25.138–281Idyll 25: Phaethon the bull and the Nemean lionThe great bull Phaethon charges at Heracles, who seizes him by the left horn and forces his neck to the ground, to the wonder of Augeas and Phyleus. On the road to the city Phyleus asks about the lion whose hide Heracles wears, and Heracles tells how Eurystheus set him the task, how he killed the Nemean lion with his bare hands, and how he flayed it with its own claws.
Theocritus, Idylls 17.1–137Idyll 17: In praise of PtolemyThe poem begins with Zeus and passes to Ptolemy son of Lagus, whom it praises as foremost among men, and to his mother Berenice. It tells of his birth on the isle of Cos, of the lands he rules and the wealth of Egypt, and of the temples he has built for his parents. It ends with his marriage to his sister, likened to the bridal of Zeus and Hera.
Theocritus, Idylls 25.1–137Idyll 25: Heracles at the farm of AugeasHeracles, in his lion's skin, is answered by an old husbandman of the estate of Augeas, who tells him about the lands and the work there and asks whom he has come to find. Augeas' son Phyleus leads him to the farm, where the dogs, the stalls and the countless herds of cattle and sheep are shown.

Aristophanes (15)

Aristophanes, Frogs 38–79Prologue: Heracles laughs at the disguise; Dionysus longs for EuripidesHeracles bursts out laughing at Dionysus dressed in a lion's skin and buskins. Dionysus says that he was serving on a ship and was reading Euripides' Andromeda when a sudden longing came over him, and he explains it with a comparison to a craving for soup. Heracles suggests Sophocles instead, but Dionysus wants to test Iophon first, and says that the longing is for the dead Euripides.
Aristophanes, Frogs 116–171Prologue: Heracles describes the roads to HadesHeracles describes the ways down: a rope and a bench, a draught of hemlock, or a leap from the tower at the Cerameicus. Dionysus chooses the road that Heracles took himself, across a great lake in a ferry that costs two obols. On the way are snakes and monsters, a swamp of filth for sinners and the happy bands of mystics near Pluto's gate; as they set off, a funeral party carries out a body.
Aristophanes, Birds 1636–1701Episode: Heracles is won over; the vote on the sceptreHeracles stops Poseidon from leaving over one woman. Peisthetaerus whispers to Heracles that, as the son of an alien mother, he can inherit nothing from Zeus, and he reads out Solon's law on bastards. Heracles is persuaded, the jargon of the Triballian is taken to mean Restore her, and Poseidon gives way. Heracles offers to stay and roast the meat while the others go.
Aristophanes, Birds 1561–1635bEpisode: the embassy of Poseidon, Heracles and the TriballianThe Chorus end a short song, and Poseidon, Heracles and a Triballian arrive as envoys, and Poseidon scolds the Triballian for the way he wears his cloke. They find Peisthetaerus grating silphium over birds that have been tried for rebellion, and Heracles is eager to eat. Poseidon offers peace on generous terms, Peisthetaerus asks for the sceptre to go back to the birds, and the three gods begin to vote.
Aristophanes, Frogs 80–115bPrologue: Dionysus asks Heracles about the poets of HadesDionysus says that Agathon has gone to join the blessed at their banquets, and Heracles asks after Xenocles and Pythangelus and then after the host of young tragedians. Dionysus dismisses them as poets who get one chorus and are never seen again, and asks for a genuine creative poet who dares a bold phrase. He then asks which friends and inns Heracles knew on his journey below.
Aristophanes, Peace 729–816Parabasis: the Chorus praises its poetThe Chorus see Trygaeus off and turn to the audience, praising their poet for ending the stale jokes about a gluttonous Heracles and a whipped slave, and for fighting the many-tongued monster of the sycophants. They ask for the prize and the support of every bald-headed man. They call on the Muse to join them and not to help the sons of Carcinus, and mock Morsimus and Melanthius.
Aristophanes, Frogs 416–463Parodos: the banter at the bridge; Dionysus at Pluto's doorThe Chorus jeer at Cleisthenes and Callias, who are said to be among the dead. Dionysus asks the way to Pluto's house, and the Chorus tell him that he has come to the very door and then go off to dance. Dionysus knocks as Heracles told him, and Aeacus answers.
Aristophanes, Frogs 464–502Episode: Aeacus takes Dionysus for Heracles; the change of clothesAeacus takes Dionysus in his lion's skin for Heracles, who stole Cerberus, and threatens him with the hell-hounds, the Asp, the Lamprey and the Gorgons. Dionysus faints and asks for a sponge for his heart, and then proposes that they change clothes so that Xanthias takes the club and lion's skin. A maid then welcomes the supposed Heracles.
Aristophanes, The Clouds 889–1112Agon: the Better Logic and the Worse LogicThe Right Logic and the Wrong Logic come forward and quarrel, each calling the other names, and the Right Logic argues that there is such a thing as Justice, whereupon the Wrong Logic asks why Zeus is unpunished for chaining his father. The Chorus invite each to state his case, and the Right Logic describes the old education of boys, who walked in silence to school and sat modestly, which the Wrong Logic mocks. The Wrong Logic argues that warm baths are good for the young, that chastity does a man no good, and that the audience are full of adulterers, so the Right Logic admits defeat and runs off to join them, and Strepsiades tells Socrates to flog his son and sharpen his wits for lawsuits.
Aristophanes, Birds 798–861Episode: the new wings; the city is named CloudcuckooburyPeisthetaerus and Euelpides return with wings and laugh at each other's looks, and Peisthetaerus says that the first need is a grand name for the city. Euelpides rejects Sparta, and Peisthetaerus proposes Cloudcuckoobury, which the Chorus like. Peisthetaerus would keep Athene as guardian of the city, but Euelpides objects, and the Chorus propose a Persian cockerel to hold the citadel. Peisthetaerus sends Euelpides up into the air to help with the wall and calls for a priest to sacrifice to the new gods.
Aristophanes, Frogs 1–37Prologue: Dionysus and Xanthias come to Heracles' doorXanthias, riding a donkey with the luggage, asks whether he may make the old jokes about carrying burdens, and Dionysus forbids them one by one. They argue over who is really carrying the load, since Dionysus walks while his slave rides. Dionysus, dressed in a lion's skin, knocks on the door with a clatter, and Heracles asks who banged it.
Aristophanes, Frogs 280–306dEpisode: Xanthias and the EmpusaDionysus boasts of his courage and says that he would like an adventure worthy of their journey. Xanthias then cries that he sees a monster that changes shape, and Dionysus hides behind his priest's seat and begs for protection. Xanthias announces that the Empusa has gone, and Dionysus makes him swear it three times.
Aristophanes, Frogs 503–532Episode: the maid's invitation; Dionysus takes back the lion's skinA maid welcomes the supposed Heracles and tells him that her Lady has baked loaves, boiled soup and roasted an ox, and that dancing girls are waiting. Xanthias at first pretends to refuse and then agrees to go in. Dionysus stops him and demands the lion's skin back, while the Chorus praise the man who knows how to keep to the sunny side.
Aristophanes, Plutus 322–414cEpisode: Blepsidemus and the risk of wealthChremylus welcomes the farmers and asks them to help save the god, and Blepsidemus arrives, having heard in the barbers' shops that his neighbour has grown rich. He suspects that Chremylus has robbed a temple and offers to hush the matter up for a fee, until Chremylus tells him that he holds Wealth himself, who is blind. They agree that no doctor can be found, so Wealth must sleep in the temple of Asclepius, and Blepsidemus urges Chremylus to be quick.
Aristophanes, Frogs 533–580Episode: the Hostess and Plathane accuse the supposed HeraclesThe Chorus praise the man who can trim his sails to the wind, like Theramenes. Dionysus, wearing the lion's skin again, is charged by two tavern women, the Hostess and Plathane, with eating sixteen loaves, a pile of stew and a heap of cheese without paying. They threaten to fetch Cleon and Hyperbolus, and Dionysus turns to plead with Xanthias.

Diodorus Siculus (23)

Diodorus Siculus, Library of History, Books 4 to 6 (the Greek myths) 4.36.1–4.39.4The death of HeraclesHeracles takes the field with the Calydonians against the Thesprotians and, after he kills a serving boy by accident, goes into exile with Deïaneira. At the river Euenus the centaur Nessus attacks her; dying, he gives her a charm, and years later she uses it on a robe to win Heracles back from Iole. The robe consumes Heracles, who has himself burned on a pyre on Mount Oeta; the section closes with the honours paid to him as hero and god.
Diodorus Siculus, Library of History, Books 4 to 6 (the Greek myths) 4.31.1–4.33.12Heracles: servitude, Troy, Elis and SpartaAfter his labours Heracles gives Megara to Iolaüs and asks for Iole, daughter of Eurytus; he is refused, falls ill, and is told by Apollo to be sold as a slave to pay the sons of Iphitus. He then makes war on Laomedon at Troy and gives the kingdom to Priam, fights Augeas and the Eleans, and defeats the sons of Hippocoön at Sparta, restoring Tyndareüs. The section ends with Augê's secret child.
Diodorus Siculus, Library of History, Books 4 to 6 (the Greek myths) 4.17.1–4.21.7Heracles and the cattle of GeryonesFor his tenth labour Heracles gathers an army and sails from Crete, which he first clears of wild beasts. In Libya he kills Antaeus, in Egypt Busiris, and he sets up the Pillars at the western ocean. He then crosses Celtica, where he founds Alesia, and the Alps, passes the Ligurians, and camps on the Tiber where Rome later stands.
Diodorus Siculus, Library of History, Books 4 to 6 (the Greek myths) 4.8.1–4.10.7Heracles: birth and early deedsThe historian begins with the difficulty of reporting Heracles' deeds worthily and with the claim that myth should not be scrutinised too sharply. He traces the hero's descent from Perseus and Zeus, tells how Hera delays the birth of Heracles so that Eurystheus is born first, and how Heracles as a baby strangles the two serpents she sends. As a young man he frees Thebes from the tribute owed to Erginus king of the Minyans, kills Erginus, burns the palace of the Minyans and razes the city of the Orchomenians, and marries Megara, daughter of Creon.
Diodorus Siculus, Library of History, Books 4 to 6 (the Greek myths) 4.11.1–4.13.4Heracles' labours I: the first sevenHera sends a frenzy on Heracles, and in it he shoots his children by Megara; when he recovers he goes to serve Eurystheus. The chapters give the labours of the Nemean lion, the Lernaean hydra, the Erymanthian boar (with the fight against the Centaurs at the cave of Pholus), the golden-horned hind, the Stymphalian birds, the stables of Augeas, and the Cretan bull.
Diodorus Siculus, Library of History, Books 4 to 6 (the Greek myths) 4.22.1–4.24.7Heracles in Italy and SicilyHeracles works on the Lake of Avernus, and at the strait between Rheginê and Locris he is troubled by crickets and prays that they disappear. He crosses to Sicily, where the Nymphs give him warm baths and he is challenged to a fight at Eryx. At Syracuse he sacrifices to Core, and at Agyrium he is honoured as a god and receives a precinct, with another for his nephew Iolaüs.
Diodorus Siculus, Library of History, Books 4 to 6 (the Greek myths) 4.14.1–4.16.4Heracles: the Olympic Games, the Giants and the AmazonsAfter the stables Heracles founds the Olympic Games and receives gifts from the gods. He fights on the side of the gods against the Giants at Pallene, frees Prometheus by shooting the eagle, and brings Eurystheus the man-eating horses of Diomedes. He then sails to the Pontus for the girdle of Hippolyte and defeats the Amazons.
Diodorus Siculus, Library of History, Books 4 to 6 (the Greek myths) 4.25.1–4.27.5Heracles: Hades, Orpheus and the HesperidesHeracles is initiated at Athens in the Eleusinian Mysteries, and the historian digresses briefly on Orpheus. Heracles then descends to Hades, where Persephone welcomes him, and brings back Cerberus. For the last labour, the golden apples of the Hesperides, writers disagree about whether the prize was apples or golden-coloured sheep; the section also gives the story of Atlas and the Atlantides, whom Heracles rescues from pirates sent by Busiris, and Atlas's teaching him astronomy.
Diodorus Siculus, Library of History, Books 4 to 6 (the Greek myths) 4.40.1–4.44.7The Argonauts I: Jason and the voyage to PhineusJason, nephew of Pelias, has a great ship built on Mount Pelion and gathers the chiefs of Greece, with Heracles among them. On the way they rescue Hesione at Sigeium, come through a storm thanks to Orpheus' prayers to the gods of Samothrace, and reach Phineus, whose sons are freed by the Boreadae and Heracles. They then put in on the coast of the Tauric Chersonese, where strangers are sacrificed to Artemis.
Diodorus Siculus, Library of History, Books 4 to 6 (the Greek myths) 4.57.1–4.58.8The HeracleidaeEurystheus, fearing the sons of Heracles, has them driven from Trachis; the Athenians alone take them in, and with Iolaüs, Theseus and Hyllus they defeat Eurystheus, who is killed by Hyllus. The Heracleidae then attack the Peloponnese, but Hyllus is killed in single combat by Echemus and they retreat for fifty years; Tlepolemus, driven from Argos for a killing, founds three cities on Rhodes.
Diodorus Siculus, Library of History, Books 4 to 6 (the Greek myths) 4.28.1–4.30.6The Amazons' invasion of Attica and the colony in SardiniaThe surviving Amazons and the Scythians invade Attica to avenge Heracles' attack, and Theseus defeats them, Antiope dying in the battle. The god tells Heracles to send a colony to Sardinia led by his sons by the daughters of Thespius; Iolaüs leads it, calls the people Iolaeis, and builds great works with the help of Daedalus, and the settlers later retreat into the mountains.
Diodorus Siculus, Library of History, Books 4 to 6 (the Greek myths) 5.73.1–5.77.8The gods' discoveries and their Cretan originsZeus is said to have given each god a field of invention: the Muses the letters and poetry, Apollo the lyre, healing and the bow, Hermes the herald's staff, Athena the olive, and Dionysus the vine. The chapters then give an older Heracles, Artemis, Plutus, and the claim that most of the gods began in Crete and spread to other lands.

11 more passages of Diodorus Siculus that name Heracles

Ovid (8)

Ovid, Metamorphoses 9.98–272Nessus and the death of HeraclesHeracles (Hercules), returning with Deianira, crosses the river Evenus, where the centaur Nessus offers to carry her across and tries to take her. Heracles shoots him with an arrow dipped in the hydra's poison, and the dying Nessus gives Deianira his blood-stained tunic as a love-charm. Years later, jealous of Iole, she sends the tunic to Heracles, who is burned by the poison, and tears at his flesh, and is raised to the sky from a funeral pyre on Mount Oeta.
Ovid, Metamorphoses 9.1–97Achelous and HeraclesTheseus asks Achelous why he has a broken horn, and the river god tells how he and Heracles (Hercules) fought for the hand of Deianira. Achelous changed into a snake and then a bull, and Heracles tore off one of his horns. The nymphs filled it with fruits and flowers, and it became the horn of plenty.
Ovid, Metamorphoses 12.534–628Periclymenus and the death of AchillesNestor ends his tale, and Tlepolemus, a son of Heracles (Hercules), reproaches him for passing over his father, and Nestor says that Heracles killed all his brothers except Periclymenus, whom Poseidon (Neptune) had given the power to change his shape, and who escaped by turning into an eagle until Heracles shot him. Poseidon, angry at the death of Cycnus, asks Apollo to destroy Achilles, and Apollo directs Paris' arrow, which kills him. His ashes lie in a small urn, and the contest for his armour begins.
Ovid, Metamorphoses 15.1–59Numa and MyscelusAfter the death of Romulus the Romans seek a new king, and Numa, a Sabine who has studied philosophy, is chosen. The founding of Crotona is told, how Heracles (Hercules), after the death of Geryon, came there and promised that a city should be built on the spot, and how Myscelus, warned in a dream, founded it.
Ovid, Metamorphoses 9.273–321Alcmene and GalanthisEurystheus still pursues the sons of Heracles (Hercules), and Alcmene, his aged mother, tells Iole of the difficulty of his birth, which Hera (Juno) tried to hinder by having Lucina (Eileithyia) sit with her hands clasped before the door. Galanthis, her maid, deceived the goddess by crying that the child was born, and Lucina, in surprise, let go. Galanthis, laughing at the goddess, was turned into a weasel.
Ovid, Metamorphoses 11.194–265Laomedon and Hesione; Peleus and ThetisApollo and Poseidon (Neptune) build the walls of Troy for King Laomedon, who cheats them of their pay, and Poseidon sends a sea-monster, to which Hesione is exposed, until Heracles (Hercules) saves her. Laomedon again breaks his word, and Heracles takes the city. Peleus marries the sea-goddess Thetis after he holds her through all her changes of shape, and she bears Achilles.
Ovid, Metamorphoses 9.322–412Dryope and IolausIole tells of her sister Dryope, who plucked a lotus blossom, not knowing that it was the nymph Lotis, and who began to turn into a tree. Dryope was turned into a lotus as her husband and father looked on, and begged them to let her child play in the shade. Iolaus, Heracles' nephew, grown old, is made young again by Hebe, and Themis prophesies the coming of other prodigies.
Ovid, Metamorphoses 13.1–120The contest for the arms of Achilles: Ajax speaksThe Greek chiefs gather to judge between Ajax and Odysseus (Ulysses), who both claim the armour of Achilles. Ajax speaks first, boasting of his strength and lineage, and of how he defended the ships against Hector's fire while Odysseus stayed behind. He accuses Odysseus of feigning madness to avoid the war, of abandoning Nestor in battle, and of getting Palamedes killed.

Pausanias (84)

Pausanias, Description of Greece 3.15.1–11Sparta: heroes’ shrines, Hercules and Hippocoon, Enyalius in fetters and MorphoPausanias lists the shrine of Cynisca, the heroes’ shrines behind the colonnade, the tomb of Alcman and the sanctuaries of Helen and Hercules, and tells how Hercules came to punish Hippocoon’s sons after the death of Oeonus. He also describes Athena Serve-them-right, the temple of Hipposthenes, the fettered Enyalius, Hera Goat-eating, and the temple of armed Aphrodite with its upper storey sacred to Morpho, whose fetters he does not take to be a punishment.
Pausanias, Description of Greece 3.18.1–16Sparta to Amyclae: Ammon, Cnagian Artemis and the throne of ApolloPausanias lists images and shrines near the statues of Pausanias, including Athena Ophthalmitis, the sanctuary of Ammon and Cnagian Artemis, and then follows the road to Amyclae by the river Tiasa and the sanctuary of the Graces. At Amyclae he describes the tripods and dedications and Bathycles’ throne of the Amyclaean Apollo, listing its mythological reliefs on the front and underneath.
Pausanias, Description of Greece 5.8.1–11Olympia: the early celebrations and the order in which the contests were addedPausanias lists those said to have held the games, from Clymenus, Endymion and Pelops to Augeas and Hercules, and the champions Hercules crowned. After the lapse before Iphitus, the contests were revived piecemeal, and he lists them with their first Olympiad and winner, from the foot-race of Coroebus to the later boys’ contests, races of armed men, chariots and foals.
Pausanias, Description of Greece 9.11.1–7Thebes: the house of Amphitryo, the sanctuary of Hercules and Apollo of the AshesPausanias describes the ruins of Amphitryo's house with Alcmena's bridal-chamber, the tomb of the children of Hercules and Megara, and the stone with which Athena stunned the maddened Hercules. He tells how Historis tricked the witches sent by Hera to delay Alcmena's labour. He describes the sanctuary of Hercules with its marble image, an old wooden image attributed to Daedalus, the story of Icarus' drowning, gables by Praxiteles showing the labours, and the offerings of Thrasybulus and the Athenian exiles. The altar of Apollo of the Ashes has divination by voices.
Pausanias, Description of Greece 5.25.1–13Olympia: the Messenian boys’ chorus, Agrigentine boys, Achaean heroes and Hercules statuesPausanias turns from images of Zeus to other offerings, among them the statues of the Messenian boys’ chorus lost at sea off Rhegium and the Agrigentine statues of boys praying after the Motye war. He adds a note on the peoples of Sicily and lists a Hercules and the Nemean lion, the Achaean heroes who drew lots to fight Hector, Hercules and the Amazon and the Thasian Hercules by Onatas.
Pausanias, Description of Greece 5.14.1–10Olympia: Zeus Averter of Flies, the white poplar and the altars in order of sacrificePausanias notes the wonders of the altar, including the kites and Hercules’ sacrifice to Zeus Averter of Flies, and explains the use of white poplar wood. He lists the altars of Olympia in the order the Eleans sacrifice on them, from Hestia and Olympian Zeus to Artemis, Athena, Alpheus, Hephaestus, Hercules and his brothers, then the altars of Hera, the Muses and the Nymphs near the Pelopium.
Pausanias, Description of Greece 9.27.1–8Thespiae: the worship of Love, the statues by Praxiteles and the sanctuary of HerculesPausanias says the Thespians honour Love above all gods and keep an ancient image of him in the form of an unwrought stone. He discusses the poets' accounts of Love's parentage, the statues by Lysippus and Praxiteles, and their removal by Caius and Nero. He lists other sights of Thespiae, including works by Praxiteles, a bronze statue of Hesiod and the temple of the Muses. He ends with the sanctuary of Hercules, whose priestess remains a virgin, and the tale of Thestius' fifty daughters.
Pausanias, Description of Greece 2.10.1–7Sicyon: the sanctuary of Hercules, Asclepius, Aphrodite and the gymnasiumIn the gymnasium stands a Hercules by Scopas, and the Paedize enclosure has the Sicyonian dual sacrifice to Hercules as hero and god. Pausanias describes the sanctuary of Asclepius, entered by a building with images of Sleep, with Calamis’ gold and ivory god brought from Epidaurus in the form of a serpent. He also describes the sanctuary of Aphrodite, with Canachus’ image, the paideros plant and its restricted priesthood, and the gymnasium with Pheraean Artemis.
Pausanias, Description of Greece 3.16.1–11Sparta: the Leucippides, Lycurgus’ sanctuary and Artemis OrthiaPausanias describes the sanctuary of Hilaira and Phoebe, the egg said to be Leda’s, the Tunic where the women weave the garment for Apollo of Amyclae, and the house where the Dioscuri visited Phormio. He lists the shrines of Chilon and of the Athenians with Dorieus, and Lycurgus’ sanctuary and the graves nearby. He then argues that the wooden image of Artemis Orthia, in the Limnaeum, is the one brought from the Tauric land, and describes the scourging of the youths at her altar.
Pausanias, Description of Greece 8.14.1–12Pheneus: Hercules' channel, Ulysses' mares and the tomb of MyrtilusPausanias describes the plain of Pheneus, which once flooded, and the chasms and canal said to have been made by Hercules. In the acropolis of Pheneus are ruins of a temple of Athena Tritonia and a bronze Poseidon said to be dedicated by Ulysses after finding his mares, which Pausanias doubts because bronze casting was not yet known. He mentions the tomb of Iphicles, the games and temple of Hermes, and the grave of Myrtilus, with the story that Pelops threw him overboard. Pausanias rejects the derivation of the Myrtoan Sea from Myrtilus.
Pausanias, Description of Greece 10.13.1–10Delphi: the bison head, the Phocian and Corinthian offerings, Hercules and the tripod, and the Plataean serpentPausanias describes the bronze bison head sent by the Paeonian king Dropion, with an account of how bison are caught. He lists offerings by the Andrians, Phocians, Thessalians, Macedonians, Cyrenians, Thebans and Phliasians, the treasury of the Corinthians, and the Phocian group of Hercules and Apollo fighting for the tripod. He ends with the golden tripod on the bronze serpent from Plataea and the Tarentine tithe from the Peucetians.
Pausanias, Description of Greece 1.32.1–7Attica: the mountains and the plain of MarathonPausanias names the mountains of Attica, Pentelicus, Parnes and Hymettus, with their images and altars of Zeus and the honey of Hymettus. At Marathon he describes the graves of the Athenians, the Plataeans and the slaves, the tomb of Miltiades, the nightly sounds of battle, the hero Echetlaeus, the trophy, the spring Macaria and the legend of the children of Hercules, the marsh, the mangers of Artaphernes’ horses and the grotto of Pan.

72 more passages of Pausanias that name Heracles

Quintus Smyrnaeus (5)

Quintus Smyrnaeus, The Fall of Troy (Posthomerica) 6.200–334The shield of EurypylusEurypylus puts on his armour, and on his shield are shown the labours of Hercules, from the serpents in the cradle to Cerberus and the Centaurs. He tells Paris that victory lies with the gods. The Trojans rejoice, and he chooses his captains.
Quintus Smyrnaeus, The Fall of Troy (Posthomerica) 6.116–199Eurypylus comes to TroyThe Trojans are rescued by the coming of Eurypylus, grandson of Hercules, with a host from the river Caicus. They crowd round him with delight and Paris welcomes him as a kinsman. After a feast outside the walls Priam and the Trojans beg him to fight for them, and he promises.
Quintus Smyrnaeus, The Fall of Troy (Posthomerica) 10.74–202Heroes in the slaughter; the arms of HerculesAeneas kills Harpalion and Hyllus, while Neoptolemus slays twelve Trojans with his father's spear. Eurymenes kills many until Meges strikes him down, and Paris, Teucer and Meges also kill, with digressions on Scylaceus' fate and on Endymion's cave. Philoctetes then ravages the Trojans, and the poet describes the belt and quiver of Hercules that he carries, decorated with beasts and scenes from myth.
Quintus Smyrnaeus, The Fall of Troy (Posthomerica) 4.323–464Funeral games: boxing, archery and the iron barEpeius, son of Panopeus and builder of the Horse, steps forward for the boxing, and none dares face him. Oileus' son and Teucer then compete in archery at a helmet. Aias alone is able to hurl the great bar of iron.
Quintus Smyrnaeus, The Fall of Troy (Posthomerica) 7.98–168A truce for the deadEurypylus kills many Argives, and the fighting goes on night and day before the ships and round the wall. After two days the Argives send an embassy and ask for a truce. Both sides burn their dead, and the Argives raise a high mound for Peneleos.

Nonnus of Panopolis (4)

Nonnus of Panopolis, Dionysiaca 25.194–270Book 25: Heracles compared; the poet turns back to the warThe poet measures the labours of Heracles (the Lernaean hydra, the deer, the Cretan bull, Geryon and the rest) against the exploits of Dionysos and finds them small. He asks Homer's pardon, says he will not compare Dionysos with Achilles, and prays for inspiration to return to the Indian war.
Nonnus of Panopolis, Dionysiaca 40.493–580Book 40: The first ship and the founding of Tyre; the nymphs and ErosHeracles tells how the earthborn sacrificed the eagle of the olive on the wandering rocks, which then became fixed, and built Tyre on both. He then explains that Eros, by his shafts, made the fountain-nymphs the brides of the earthborn, from whom Dionysos' family descends. Dionysos accepts a starry robe from Heracles, gives him a golden mixing-bowl and moves on to another part of Assyria.
Nonnus of Panopolis, Dionysiaca 40.366–492Book 40: Dionysos hymns Heracles, god of the Tyrian templeDionysos prays to the Starclad Heracles in his temple, praising him as the sun and the lord of the universe under many names. The god appears, entertains him at table, and Dionysos asks who built the city. Heracles begins the story of the earthborn first men, who were told by his oracle to build the first ship and sail to the wandering Ambrosial Rocks.
Nonnus of Panopolis, Dionysiaca 25.80–193Book 25: The feats of Perseus and Minos set against those of DionysosThe poet continues the comparison with Perseus, setting his sea-monster, Polydectes and Andromeda against Dionysos' defeat of the Giants. He contrasts Minos' conquest of Megara, won through Scylla's love, with a victory won by hard fighting, and turns to Heracles, whose Nemean lion was matched by the boy Dionysos with his team of lions.

Bacchylides (4)

Bacchylides, Epinicians (Odes of Victory) 5.1–200Ode 5: Heracles meets Meleager in HadesThe poet sends Hieron a song and compares his own flight to the eagle's, celebrating the victory of the chestnut horse Pherenicus at Olympia and at Pytho. He tells how Heracles went down to Hades for the hound of Hades, saw the shade of Meleager and drew his bow, but was told there was nothing to fear. Meleager tells of the Calydonian boar sent by Artemis, of the quarrel over its hide, and of the brand burned by his mother Althaea that ended his life. Moved to tears, Heracles asks about a sister he might marry, and Meleager names Deianeira; the ode ends with praise of Hieron and a prayer to Zeus.
Bacchylides, Epinicians (Odes of Victory) 9.1–104Ode 9: Automedes of Phlius, pentathlon at NemeaThe poet calls on the Graces to help him sing of Phlius and of Nemea, where Hera reared the lion that Heracles was to overcome and the Argive heroes held the first games in memory of Archemorus. He praises Automedes, who outshone his rivals in the pentathlon, and sings the river Asopus and its daughters, the brides of gods. The middle of the ode is restored from fragments. It ends with the city that Zeus granted to the people of Phlius and with Automedes, son of Timoxenus.
Bacchylides, Epinicians (Odes of Victory) 12.1–14.23Odes 12–14: Pytheas of Aegina and the Aeacidae; Cleoptolemus of ThessalyOde 12 asks Cleio to guide the poet to Aegina and to a wrestler's victory at Nemea, but only its opening survives. Ode 13, for Pytheas of Aegina, shows Heracles, the descendant of Perseus, mastering the Nemean lion, praises Aegina and her heroes Peleus, Telamon, Achilles and Ajax, and tells how Achilles' anger let the Trojans drive the Greeks to their ships until Ajax stopped Hector. It ends with praise of the trainer Menander and of the host Lampon. Ode 14 reflects that fortune can crush or exalt a man before honouring Cleoptolemus of Thessaly and the domain of Poseidon Petraios.
Bacchylides, Dithyrambs 15.1–16.35Dithyrambs 15–16: the sons of Antenor; Heracles and DeianeiraTheano, priestess of Athena, opens the temple doors to the Greek envoys Odysseus and Menelaus, and the sons of Antenor lead them to the Trojan assembly, where Menelaus speaks of Insolence and Justice. In the next song the poet prays to Apollo, and sings how Heracles, after burning Oechalia, sacrifices at the cape of Cenaean Zeus. A god then weaves a cruel device for Deianeira when she learns that Iole is to come to the house as a bride, and she takes the fatal gift of Nessus.

Epic Cycle (1)

Epic Cycle, Summaries and Fragments 9.1–10.2Returns and TelegonyProclus' summary of the Returns begins with Athena causing a quarrel between Agamemnon and Menelaus about the voyage from Troy. The fragments mention Medea and Aeson, Heracles at Themiscyra, and Telemachus marrying Circe. The Telegony, in two books, has Odysseus sailing to Elis after the suitors are buried, and the author says that Odysseus had a son Telegonus by Calypso.

Orpheus (attributed) (1)

Orpheus (attributed), Orphic Hymns 12–16Hymns 12-16: Hercules, Saturn, Rhea, Jupiter, JunoHercules is praised as the untamed, strong-handed god of the twelve labours. Saturn (Kronos) is invoked as the mighty Titan and husband of Rhea, and Rhea as the daughter of Protogonus and mother of gods and men. The group ends with Jupiter (Zeus), the supreme king of the gods, and Juno (Hera), his queen of the air.

Parthenius of Nicaea (1)

Parthenius of Nicaea, Love Romances 29.1–32.5Daphnis; Celtine and Heracles; Dimoetes; AnthippeDaphnis of Sicily, loved by the nymph Echenais, is made drunk by a princess and goes blind for breaking her ban on mortal women. Celtine hides the cattle of Geryon until Heracles lies with her, and their son Celtus gives the Celts their name. Dimoetes, whose wife Evopis, his niece, hangs herself, builds a barrow for the body of a drowned woman and kills himself at her tomb. Anthippe is hit by a javelin that Cichyrus, the king's son, hurls at a leopard, and he falls to his death.

Heracles in the ancient sources

Hesiod (14)

Homer (9)

Apollodorus (13)

Pindar (11)

Sophocles (19)

Euripides (46)

Apollonius Rhodius (9)

Callimachus (1)

Theocritus (5)

Aristophanes (15)

Diodorus Siculus (23)

Ovid (8)

Pausanias (84)

Quintus Smyrnaeus (5)

Nonnus of Panopolis (4)

Bacchylides (4)

Epic Cycle (1)

Orpheus (attributed) (1)

Parthenius of Nicaea (1)