Iole

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

For the genus of birds, see Iole (genus).

In Greek mythology, Iole (Ἰόλη) was the daughter of Eurytus (prince of Oechalia).

Eurytus promised Iole to whoever could beat his sons in an archery contest. Heracles won but Eurytus, aware that Heracles had killed his previous family, was afraid that Heracles would kill Iole and their children as well. Contrary to the wishes of Heracles and Eurytus' eldest son Iphitus, Eurytus refused to allow Heracles and Iole to marry.

Angry at Eurytus for several reasons, Heracles killed him and his sons, and took Iole captive, although he was at that time married to Deianira.

When Heracles was dying, he asked that his eldest son with Deineira, Hyllus marry Iole. They had a son named Cleodaeus.

She is mentioned in Euripides' "Hippolytus".


[edit] References

Apollodorus' Library at Perseus Tuft's: 2.6.1, 2.7.7

 This article relating to Greek mythology is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.