From N.S. Gill,
Your Guide to Ancient / Classical History.
FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now!

Definition: Omphale was the queen of Lydia who bought Hercules as a slave from the Greek god Hermes. Hercules served Omphale for three years in retribution for killing Iphicles and stealing the Delphic oracle's tripod. In her service, Hercules may have been humiliated by wearing women's garments or doing traditionally feminine tasks, but he also continued to rid the world of annoyances including Syleus, the Kerkopes, and the Ithonoi. Omphale had a child -- Lamos -- by Hercules.