Gods,Heroes,Myths Greek Mythology Homer's epics,Expeditions

"When Hercules descended to Hades to obtain Cerberus, he met Meleager, the son of Oeneus, the king of the Aetolians. Meleager asked him to marry his sister, Deianira. After completing all his labors, Hercules went to meet Deianira. However, the river god Achelous had also asked for her hand in marriage. Thus, the two rivals fought fiercely. Achelous had the ability to transform, which he did during the battle.

Nevertheless, Hercules triumphed and took Deianira with him. Together they had four children, the most famous being Hyllus, as well as a daughter. Unfortunately, he accidentally killed a relative of his wife, Eunomus. This was the reason he was forced to leave Calydon in Aetolia.

When they arrived at the river Evenus, they stopped. There was the centaur Nessus, and Hercules asked him to carry Deianira across the river. However, in the middle of the river, the centaur, while holding her, tried to abduct her. Then Hercules shot him with an arrow and killed him. As he was dying, Nessus asked Deianira to collect his blood. With this blood, she could create a magic potion that would ensure her husband's love.

After crossing the river Evenus, Deianira was hosted at the palace of King Ceyx of Trachis, while Hercules campaigned against Eurytus, the king of Oechalia. After killing him and his sons, he abducted his daughter Iole. Then, he traveled to Cape Cenaeum in Euboea, where he decided to offer a sacrifice in honor of Zeus. He sent his companion Lichas to ask Deianira for a formal festive robe. However, she learned from the messenger about Hercules' love for Iole. Desiring to regain her husband's love, she soaked the white robe in the centaur's blood as he had instructed her. When Hercules wore it, the poisoned blood of the centaur spread over his body, burning it. As he tried to remove the robe, his flesh tore away with it. In his rage, he attacked Lichas and threw him into the sea.

When Deianira realized what she had done, she could not bear it and committed suicide. Hercules, facing unbearable pain, climbed Mount Oeta, built a pyre with wood, and ascended it. He begged his companions to light the fire, but they refused. Finally, Poeas, the father of Philoctetes, agreed, and in return, Hercules gave him his bow and arrows.

A cloud carried the hero with thunder and lightning to Olympus. There, he was welcomed by Athena and Apollo. He reconciled with Hera, who gave him her daughter Hebe as his immortal wife. With her, he had two sons. As an immortal, Hercules lived a blissful life on Olympus, enjoying all the divine pleasures.

He was admired throughout Greece as a symbol of physical and moral strength, a savior and benefactor of humanity. He was the protector of gymnasiums, and in Athens, the Cynosarges was dedicated to him. In many regions of Greece, festivals known as Heracleia were held in his honor."