IPHITUS IN GREEK MYTHOLOGY
Iphitus in Greek Mythology
Iphitus was a prince of Oechalia in Greek mythology and a hero who was included amongst the Argonauts, although Iphitus is not famed for his heroic deeds, but for the manor of his death.
Iphitus the Argonaut
Iphitus was the son of King Eurytus and Queen Antiope of Oechalia, making Iphitus brother to Iole, Clytius, Deioneus, Didaeon, Molion and Toxeus.
Iphitus was considered one of the most heroic of his generation and both Apollonius Rhodius (Argonautica) and Hyginus (Fabulae) name the son of Eurytus, as well as his brother Clytius, as amongst the 50 Argonauts who sailed to Colchis to gain possession of the Golden Fleece.
Iphitus is not noted for any specific heroic deed as an Argonaut, and comes to more prominence afterwards.
Iphitus was considered one of the most heroic of his generation and both Apollonius Rhodius (Argonautica) and Hyginus (Fabulae) name the son of Eurytus, as well as his brother Clytius, as amongst the 50 Argonauts who sailed to Colchis to gain possession of the Golden Fleece.
Iphitus is not noted for any specific heroic deed as an Argonaut, and comes to more prominence afterwards.
Heracles Comes to OechaliaHeracles would come to Oechalia when Eurytus announced an archery contest, where the winner of the competition would win the hand in marriage of Eurytus’ beautiful daughter Iole.
Heracles of course won the contest, but then Eurytus refused to allow Heracles to marry Iole; Eurytus was well aware what had happened to Megara, Heracles’ fist wife. |
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It was said though, that Iphitus alone disagreed with his father’s decision, Iphitus believing that the promise made had to be kept.
The death of Iphitus
At the time when Eurytus was refusing to marry Iole to Heracles, some of the king’s cattle went missing, and the immediate presumption was that Heracles took them as a form of vengeance (although this was not the case, for Autolycus had in fact stolen them).
Again, it was only Iphitus who refused to believe that Heracles had stolen them, perhaps because the pair had once briefly been shipmates upon the Argo.
Iphitus would set out to search for the cattle. It was said that during Iphitus’ search he encountered Odysseus, and presented the son of Laertes with Eurytus’ bow; a bow which many years later, Odysseus would make use of against the Suitors of Penelope.
Eventually, Iphitus catches up with Heracles, and convinces the demi-god to aide him in the search for Eurytus’ cattle. At that moment though, Heracles is struck by a bout of madness, and Heracles throws Iphitus from the walls of Tiryns, killing the son of Eurytus.
After killing Iphitus, Heracles would have to become a servant of Queen Omphale for several years.
Again, it was only Iphitus who refused to believe that Heracles had stolen them, perhaps because the pair had once briefly been shipmates upon the Argo.
Iphitus would set out to search for the cattle. It was said that during Iphitus’ search he encountered Odysseus, and presented the son of Laertes with Eurytus’ bow; a bow which many years later, Odysseus would make use of against the Suitors of Penelope.
Eventually, Iphitus catches up with Heracles, and convinces the demi-god to aide him in the search for Eurytus’ cattle. At that moment though, Heracles is struck by a bout of madness, and Heracles throws Iphitus from the walls of Tiryns, killing the son of Eurytus.
After killing Iphitus, Heracles would have to become a servant of Queen Omphale for several years.
Alternative Ways to Die
There are two other versions of how Iphitus came to die at the hands of Heracles; both versions do not show Heracles in a good light.
In the Odyssey, it was said that Heracles stole 12 mares of Iphitus, and then killed the son of Eurytus when Iphitus tracked them down. Sophocles also tells of Heracles killing Iphitus simply as a form of vengeance against Eurytus for the king’s lack of hospitality.
In the Odyssey, it was said that Heracles stole 12 mares of Iphitus, and then killed the son of Eurytus when Iphitus tracked them down. Sophocles also tells of Heracles killing Iphitus simply as a form of vengeance against Eurytus for the king’s lack of hospitality.
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Colin Quartermain - Iphitus - 12th January 2020