People in Hercules' Life Page 3
Hercules encountered many people in his travels and labors. For convenience, I've listed the following as friend, family, or enemy of Hercules. As usual, such labels are simplistic.Linus - Enemy of Hercules
Linus was the brother of Orpheus and taught Hercules writing and music, but when he struck Hercules, Hercules retaliated and killed him. Hercules was excused, by Rhadamanthys, for the murder because he was retaliating against an act of aggression. Nonetheless Amphitryon sent him away to a cattle farm. [Apollodorus 2.4.9]Megara - Family of Hercules
For saving the Thebans from the tribute to the Minyans, Hercules was awarded Megara, daughter of King Creon for wife. They had three children. [Apollodorus 2.4.11] In Apollodorus 2.4.12 Hercules was driven mad after defeating the Minyans. He threw his children and two of Iphicles' children into a fire. Other stories put the madness after Hercules' return from Hades. Hercules may have married his wife to a surviving nephew, Iolaus.Minyans - Enemy of Hercules
The Minyans were collecting a tribute from the Thebans under King Creon for 20 years. One year when they sent out their tribute collectors, Hercules apprehended them and cut off their ears and noses and sent them back to their king, Erginus. The Minyans retaliated, and attacked Thebes, but Hercules defeated them. His step-father Amphitryon may have been killed in this battle.Omphale - Friend of Hercules
Public Domain. Courtesy of Wikipedia
Lydian Queen Omphale bought Hercules as a slave. They traded clothing and had a son. Omphale also sent Hercules off to do services for the people in the area.
Theseus - Friend of Hercules
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Theseus was a friend of Hercules who had helped another friend of his, Pirithous,, on the absurd attempt to abduct Persephone. While in the Underworld, the pair was chained. When Hercules was in the Underworld, he rescued Theseus. [Apollodoru 2.5.12]
Thespius and His Daughters - Friends and Family of Hercules
Hercules went hunting with King Thespius for 50 days and each night he slept with one of the king's 50 daughters becaue the king wanted to have grandchildren that were fathered by the hero. Hercules didn't realize it was a different woman each night. [Apollodorus 2.4.10] He impregnated all or all but one of them and their offspring, sons, under leadership of their uncle Iolaus, colonized Sardinia.Tiresias - Friend of Hercules
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The transgendered seer Tiresias of Thebes told Amphitryon about Zeus' encounter with Alcmene [Apollodorus 2.4.8] and prophesied what would become of his infant child Hercules.
