Heracles

Family: Argonauts · Role: hero · First appears: Book I 1

Heracles answered Jason’s summons at Lyrceian Argos and joined the Argonauts, bringing Hylas, “a brave comrade, in the flower of youth.” Though the heroes offered him leadership, he refused: “Let no one offer this honour to me. For I will not consent, and I will forbid any other to stand up.” He was the son of Zeus and an enemy of Hera, whose monsters tested him; at Chytus he killed the Earthborn attackers, and during the mistaken night battle he killed Telecles and Megabrontes.

At Mysia, Heracles broke his oar and killed Theiodamas after he resisted surrendering an ox. He had taken Hylas from his father Theiodamas’ house, raised him from childhood, and employed him in preparing the evening meal. When Hylas disappeared at Pegae, Heracles searched for him with Polyphemus, threatened the Mysian land, and secured an oath that the search would continue, but the Argonauts sailed away while they were left behind. Glaucus declared that Heracles was destined to labour for Eurystheus and complete twelve toils before dwelling with the immortals; Polyphemus and Hylas received separate destinies.

In the later books, Heracles killed Titias in boxing, captured Melanippe, and accepted Hippolyte’s girdle as her ransom before releasing her unharmed. He had been the comrade of Sthenelus, and with Dascylus’ father he subdued Phrygian and Bithynian lands; Hippolyte was also linked to him through the girdle he carried. In the land of the Phaeacians he loved Melite, who bore him Hyllus. He struck down Ladon, leaving the serpent lifeless beside the apple-tree, and was hated by Hespere, Eretheis, and Aegle for killing their guardian and taking the golden apples. At the Tritonian lake he killed the guardian serpent, made water gush from a rock, and founded a city among the Mysians.