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Hylas in the ancient sources
5 passages from 3 ancient authors that tell of Hylas, in the original with English translation, author by author in the order the Greeks read them. Hylas was a youth in Greek mythology, who accompanied the hero Heracles, in Greek mythology. He was the son of King Theiodamas and her wife. After Her... For the story in one place, read our article on Hylas.
Apollodorus (1)
- 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.
Apollonius Rhodius (3)
- 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 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.
Theocritus (1)
- 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.
