King Eurystheus of Tiryns is a significant yet often overlooked figure in Greek mythology, primarily known for his role in the Twelve Labors of Heracles. His story intertwines with that of Heracles, Hera, and Zeus, and he plays a central role as both a king and a somewhat antagonist figure who imposes the labors on Heracles.

To understand Eurystheus’ character and significance, we must look at his lineage, his relationship with Heracles, his position as king, and how mythology depicts him as a tool of Hera’s vengeance.

Below, World History Edu explore in detail the origin of Eurystheus, his kingship, his role in Heracles’ labors, and his later mythological involvement.

Origin story of Hera’s vendetta against Heracles

Origins and Family

Eurystheus was born into the royal family of Mycenae, a powerful city in ancient Greece. His lineage is quite important in the context of Greek mythology, as he was a descendant of Perseus, one of the greatest heroes in Greek myths, much like Heracles.

Eurystheus’ father was King Sthenelus of Mycenae, and his mother was Nicippe, the daughter of Pelops, another prominent figure in Greek mythology. This royal bloodline positioned Eurystheus to become the ruler of Tiryns, a city near Mycenae, and later also of Mycenae itself.

However, Eurystheus’ place in the mythological hierarchy was complicated by the prophecy of Zeus, which played a significant role in determining his future and, by extension, the fate of Heracles. According to Zeus, a descendant of Perseus born on a particular day would rule over all the others. Zeus had intended this prophecy to apply to his son Heracles, who was also a descendant of Perseus, through Alcmene. However, Hera, Zeus’s wife and queen of the gods, had other plans.

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Hera’s Interference and the Birth of Eurystheus

Hera, known for her jealousy and vengeance against Zeus’s lovers and their offspring, was deeply angered by the fact that Heracles, a product of one of Zeus’s infidelities, was destined for greatness. To thwart this, Hera intervened by accelerating the birth of Eurystheus, who was also a descendant of Perseus but less significant than Heracles, making him the one to fulfill Zeus’s prophecy.

On the very day that Heracles was meant to be born, Hera persuaded the goddess of childbirth, Eileithyia, to delay Alcmene’s labor, while simultaneously speeding up the birth of Eurystheus. Thus, Eurystheus was born prematurely and became king by divine decree, while Heracles was fated to serve him. This act set the stage for one of the most famous episodes in Greek mythology: the Twelve Labors of Heracles.

Eurystheus as King

Eurystheus ruled over Tiryns and later Mycenae, a powerful city-state in the ancient Greek world. His reign, however, is overshadowed by his interactions with Heracles and his role as an antagonist in Heracles’ quest for redemption. Greek mythology does not depict Eurystheus as a particularly powerful or heroic king; rather, he is often shown as cowardly, envious, and petty.

In many accounts, Eurystheus is depicted as a weak and insecure ruler, overshadowed by the strength and heroism of Heracles. This contrast is central to understanding his character and his role in the myths. Eurystheus’s status as king was granted by divine intervention, not by his own merit, and he appears to be aware of his inadequacies compared to Heracles. This dynamic of jealousy and inferiority shapes Eurystheus’s interactions with Heracles throughout their stories.

Eurystheus and the Twelve Labors of Heracles

The most significant aspect of Eurystheus’s role in Greek mythology is his involvement in the Twelve Labors of Heracles. After Heracles was driven mad by Hera and killed his wife Megara and their children, he sought redemption for his terrible crime. The Oracle of Delphi, under the influence of Hera, told Heracles that he must serve King Eurystheus for twelve years and perform twelve seemingly impossible tasks, or labors, as penance.

Eurystheus, empowered by Hera’s favor, eagerly took on the role of assigning these labors, hoping that they would lead to Heracles’ downfall. He did not merely assign these tasks; he sought to ensure that they would be as dangerous and humiliating as possible, hoping that Heracles would either die in the process or fail, thus diminishing his greatness.

First Labor: Slay the Nemean Lion

Eurystheus’s first task for Heracles was to kill the Nemean Lion, a monstrous beast with an impenetrable hide. Eurystheus likely believed that this creature would be too powerful for Heracles to defeat, but Heracles succeeded, strangling the lion and skinning it with its own claws. After this labor, Eurystheus became so fearful of Heracles’ power that he refused to let him enter the city again with his trophies, forcing Heracles to present proof of his labors outside the city gates.

Second Labor: Slay the Lernaean Hydra

For the second labor, Eurystheus assigned Heracles to kill the Hydra, a serpent-like creature with multiple heads that regenerated when severed. This was another task influenced by Hera, who even sent a giant crab to aid the Hydra. Once again, Heracles triumphed, but Eurystheus refused to count this labor as valid because Heracles had received help from his nephew Iolaus.

Third Labor: Capture the Ceryneian Hind

Eurystheus next ordered Heracles to capture the Ceryneian Hind, a sacred deer of Artemis. This labor was designed to be difficult not because of the creature’s danger but because harming it would invoke the wrath of the goddess Artemis. Heracles, however, captured the hind without harming it, thereby completing the labor without invoking divine punishment.

Fourth Labor: Capture the Erymanthian Boar

Eurystheus then sent Heracles to capture the Erymanthian Boar, a wild and dangerous animal. Heracles succeeded, and when he brought the boar back alive, Eurystheus was so frightened that he hid in a large jar, a detail often used to emphasize his cowardice.

Fifth Labor: Clean the Augean Stables

For the fifth labor, Eurystheus assigned Heracles the humiliating task of cleaning the Augean Stables, which housed thousands of cattle and had not been cleaned in years. Heracles completed the task in a single day by diverting two rivers to wash out the stables. However, Eurystheus again refused to count this labor as valid, claiming that Heracles had been promised a reward for his work.

Sixth Labor: Slay the Stymphalian Birds

Eurystheus then sent Heracles to defeat the Stymphalian Birds, dangerous creatures with metallic feathers that could be shot like arrows. With the help of Athena, Heracles frightened the birds into flight and shot many of them down.

Seventh Labor: Capture the Cretan Bull

For the seventh labor, Eurystheus ordered Heracles to capture the Cretan Bull, a massive beast that was terrorizing Crete. Heracles subdued the bull and brought it back to Eurystheus, who, once again terrified, refused to take possession of it.

Eighth Labor: Steal the Mares of Diomedes

In the eighth labor, Eurystheus tasked Heracles with stealing the flesh-eating horses of King Diomedes. Heracles completed the task by feeding Diomedes to his own horses, thus taming them before bringing them to Eurystheus.

Ninth Labor: Obtain the Girdle of Hippolyta

Eurystheus then sent Heracles to retrieve the girdle of Hippolyta, queen of the Amazons. Hera intervened during this labor by causing a misunderstanding that led to a battle between Heracles and the Amazons. Despite this, Heracles obtained the girdle and completed the labor.

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Tenth Labor: Capture the Cattle of Geryon

The tenth labor involved capturing the cattle of the three-bodied giant Geryon. Heracles killed Geryon and his herdsmen, took the cattle, and brought them back to Eurystheus.

Eleventh Labor: Steal the Apples of the Hesperides

For the eleventh labor, Eurystheus ordered Heracles to steal the golden apples of the Hesperides, which were guarded by the dragon Ladon. Heracles completed this labor with the help of Atlas, the Titan who held up the sky, and brought the apples back to Eurystheus.

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Twelfth Labor: Capture Cerberus

The final labor assigned by Eurystheus was the most dangerous: Heracles was to capture Cerberus, the three-headed guard dog of the Underworld. Heracles succeeded in this seemingly impossible task, bringing Cerberus to Eurystheus, who, terrified at the sight, begged Heracles to return the creature to Hades.

Eurystheus’s Cowardice and Role as a Puppet of Hera

Throughout the Twelve Labors, Eurystheus is depicted as cowardly and weak, frequently hiding or refusing to accept the trophies that Heracles brought back. His character stands in stark contrast to Heracles, who is brave, strong, and resourceful. While Eurystheus is king, he does not embody the virtues of leadership or heroism. Instead, he is often shown as a tool of Hera’s will, carrying out her wishes to torment Heracles.

Hera, the queen of the gods, used Eurystheus as a way to punish Heracles for being the son of Zeus and Alcmene. Although Eurystheus was born to rule over Heracles, his status as king was not earned through merit or strength, but rather through Hera’s manipulation of events. This further adds to the sense of inferiority that surrounds Eurystheus, as he is aware that his position was granted by divine intervention, while Heracles achieves greatness through his own deeds.

Eurystheus’ Role After the Labors

After Heracles completed the Twelve Labors, Eurystheus continued to fear him, even after the hero’s death. In some versions of the myth, Eurystheus sought to kill the descendants of Heracles, fearing that they might rise up against him. This led to a conflict between Eurystheus and the Heracleidae (the descendants of Heracles), culminating in Eurystheus’ death at the hands of Hyllus, Heracles’ son.

In other versions, Eurystheus’ death is described as part of a larger battle in which he was captured and killed by the Athenians, who had taken in the Heracleidae as refugees. His head was taken back to Alcmene, Heracles’ mother, as a symbol of the final defeat of Heracles’ tormentor.

Conclusion

King Eurystheus of Tiryns occupies a unique place in Greek mythology, serving as a contrast to the heroism of Heracles. His kingship was not a result of his own strength or achievements, but rather the manipulation of the gods, particularly Hera. Eurystheus’ role as the one who assigned the Twelve Labors highlights his jealousy, cowardice, and pettiness, traits that define his character in mythology.

While Eurystheus is a king by title, his lack of heroic qualities and his dependence on divine intervention to maintain his power make him a foil to Heracles, who embodies strength, courage, and the ability to overcome immense challenges. In the end, Eurystheus’ story is one of a man who, despite his royal status, could never escape the shadow of a greater hero.

Questions and Answers

These questions and answers summarize the key points about Eurystheus and the Heracleidae:

What did Eurystheus attempt to do after Heracles’ death?

After Heracles’ death, Eurystheus sought revenge by trying to destroy Heracles’ children, the Heracleidae, who fled to Athens.

How did Eurystheus’ attempt to destroy the Heracleidae end?

Eurystheus attacked Athens but was defeated, and he and his sons were killed.

What belief did the Athenians hold regarding Eurystheus’ burial?

The Athenians believed that Eurystheus’ burial site in Attica protected them from Heracles’ descendants.

Who took control after Eurystheus’ death, and what did they do?

After Eurystheus’ death, Atreus took control, exiling his brother Thyestes and becoming king.

How is Eurystheus portrayed in Euripides’ play Heracleidae?

In Heracleidae, Eurystheus pursues Heracles’ children, who seek refuge in Athens under King Demophon’s protection.

What was the oracle’s prophecy in the play Heracleidae, and how did it affect the plot?

The oracle revealed that Athens would win against Eurystheus only if a noblewoman was sacrificed. Macaria, one of Heracles’ daughters, volunteered for the sacrifice.

A spring was named the Macarian spring in honor of Macaria’s sacrifice.

What did Eurystheus prophesy about his burial in Attica?

Eurystheus prophesied that, despite his role as a villain, his burial in Attica would ultimately protect the Athenians.