TEUTARUS IN GREEK MYTHOLOGY
Teutarus was a minor figure of Greek mythology, associated with the great hero Heracles. Some name Teutarus as one of the teachers of Heracles.
Teutarus and Heracles
|
Teutarus was a Scythian, one of the nomadic, equestrian, and warrior culture of Eastern Iranic origin. Teutarus found himself in the employment of Amphitryon., where he acted as herdsman to the hero’s cattle. Amphitryon was of course the husband of Alcmene, and thus “stepfather” to Heracles.
At the time when Teutarus came to prominence, Heracles was still a young man, but his temper had already got him into trouble, for Heracles had already been tried, and acquitted over the death of Linus. |
|
Amphitryon sought to place him away from any future trouble in Thebes, and so sent him to look after his cattle.
Teutarus would act as a guide for Heracles, not just in herdsmanship, but also in archery; the Scythians being master archers.
Teutarus was said to have presented Heracles with his own bow. In some versions of the Greek myth, this is the very same bow that would eventually be born by the Greek hero Philoctetes.
Some though, say it was not Teutarus who taught Heracles how to use the bow and arrow, but this knowledge was given to Heracles, by Rhadamanthus, the hero’s stepfather, the son of Zeus, who had married Alcmene upon the death of Amphitryon.
Teutarus would act as a guide for Heracles, not just in herdsmanship, but also in archery; the Scythians being master archers.
Teutarus was said to have presented Heracles with his own bow. In some versions of the Greek myth, this is the very same bow that would eventually be born by the Greek hero Philoctetes.
Some though, say it was not Teutarus who taught Heracles how to use the bow and arrow, but this knowledge was given to Heracles, by Rhadamanthus, the hero’s stepfather, the son of Zeus, who had married Alcmene upon the death of Amphitryon.
|
|
Colin Quartermain - Teutarus - 4th April 2026