MEGARA IN GREEK MYTHOLOGY
In Greek mythology Megara was the first wife of Heracles, although in most versions of the Heracles myth, the marriage would end in tragedy.
Megara of Thebes
Megara was born in the city of Thebes, to Creon, the man who was regent of the city on a couple of occasions, and his wife. Thus Megara had many siblings, including Megareus, Menoeceus, Haemon, and Lycomedes. Nothing is said of Megara though until she was of age.
Heracles in Thebes
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Creon had offered sanctuary to Amphitryon and Alcmene years earlier, and thus the sons of Alcmene, Heracles and Iphicles had also grown up in Thebes.
As a young man, Heracles was already well on his way to become a famous hero when he encountered the emissaries of King Erginus of Orchomenus. These emissaries were on their way to Thebes to collect the tribute of 100 oxen paid annually following the death of King Erginus’ father Clymenus , and the Theban defeat in a subsequent war. Heracles was in no mind for Thebes to continue paying such a tribute, and sent the emissaries of Erignus back to their king, minus their ears and noses. This insult resulted in Erignus leading his army once again against Thebes; and in response, Heracles and Amphitryon led the Thebans on to the battlefield. Heracles killed many and the Orchomenians were put to flight, although Amphitryon was said to have died during the battle. Subsequently though, the Orchomenians would have to pay an annual tribute of 200 oxen to Thebes. |
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Megara and Heracles
In gratitude, Creon decided to reward Heracles with a prize in the form of his daughter Megara, and so Heracles and Megara were wed.
Megara would bear Heracles several children, although the names and number differ between the ancient sources, and between 3 and 8 children are named; most commonly though, four sons are named, Creontiades, Deicoon, Ophites and Therimachus.
Creon was not the only one who gave gifts to Heracles, for amongst the gods, Apollo gave to Heracles bow and arrows, Hermes provided a sword and Hephaestus a golden coat of chain mail. Hera though gave a totally different gift, for to strike back at Zeus’ illegitimate son she sent down Madness to Thebes.
A delusional Heracles would throw his own children into the fire, as well as two nephews, sons of Iphicles, and it was commonly said that Heracles also killed Megara at this time. The tombs of the deceased children of Heracles were said to be found in Thebes for hundreds of years afterwards, whilst, in Greek mythology, Megara was later observed by Odysseus in the Underworld.
Heracles was stopped from committing suicide, when he came back to his senses, by Theseus, and to atone from his crimes Heracles sought the advice of the Oracle of Delphi. The advice from the sibyl was to visit King Eurystheus and serve him from a period of time, completing Labours as directed.
Megara would bear Heracles several children, although the names and number differ between the ancient sources, and between 3 and 8 children are named; most commonly though, four sons are named, Creontiades, Deicoon, Ophites and Therimachus.
Creon was not the only one who gave gifts to Heracles, for amongst the gods, Apollo gave to Heracles bow and arrows, Hermes provided a sword and Hephaestus a golden coat of chain mail. Hera though gave a totally different gift, for to strike back at Zeus’ illegitimate son she sent down Madness to Thebes.
A delusional Heracles would throw his own children into the fire, as well as two nephews, sons of Iphicles, and it was commonly said that Heracles also killed Megara at this time. The tombs of the deceased children of Heracles were said to be found in Thebes for hundreds of years afterwards, whilst, in Greek mythology, Megara was later observed by Odysseus in the Underworld.
Heracles was stopped from committing suicide, when he came back to his senses, by Theseus, and to atone from his crimes Heracles sought the advice of the Oracle of Delphi. The advice from the sibyl was to visit King Eurystheus and serve him from a period of time, completing Labours as directed.
A Different Version of the Megara Myth
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That is the most common version of the Megara myth, but there are others.
According to Seneca and Euripdes Megara and Heracles actually spent many happy years together married, with the deaths of Megara and their children only occurring after the Labours of Heracles had been completed. In this case Heracles returned to Thebes after capturing Cerberus to find that in his absence a usurper, Lycus, had taken the throne of Thebes, and was attempting to marry Megara. |
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Heracles of course kills Lycus, but then Hera sends down Madness upon Heracles, and thinking that his own children were the children of Lycus, Heracles kills them with his arrows, and then kills Megara thinking that she was Hera. Heracles would have continued upon his killing spree but for the intervention of the goddess Athena, who knocked him unconscious.
When Heracles came around, it was again Theseus who prevent Heracles from committing suicide in grief at having killed Megara and his children.
When Heracles came around, it was again Theseus who prevent Heracles from committing suicide in grief at having killed Megara and his children.
A Different end for Megara
Another version tells of how Megara was not killed by Heracles when the hero killed his children, but she was effectively divorced by Heracles because of the loss of their children. In this case Heracles then gave to Iolaus, his nephew, when he left Thebes; Megara would subsequently give birth to a beautiful daughter, Leipephilene.
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