Eurystheas

Herakles, the Erymanthian Boar, and Eurystheas

King Eurystheas was a king of Mycenae, and a cousin of Herakles in Greek mythology. He was also the father of Admete.

Biography

Eurystheas was the one who set the twelve tasks for Herakles to accomplish during his twelve year servitude.

When Herakles brought Eurystheas the Erymanthian Boar as his fourth task, the animal terrified Eurystheas so much that he hid within a pithos.

Despite Eurystheas commanding Herakles to kill the Kretan Bull, he considered the task completed when Herakles sent him the bull alive instead, and the animal was released afterwards.

Following the completion of Herakles' eight and tenth tasks, namely bringing the mares of Diomedes and the cattle of Geryon, Eurysthaes proceeded to dedicate the horses and to sacrifice the cows to the Greek goddess Hera.

For Herakles' ninth task, Eurystheas told him to retrieve the girdle of the Amazon-queen Hippolyta, in order to give it to his daughter, Admete.

As the final task, Eurystheas commanded Herakles to bring him Cerberos, Hades' guard-dog of the Underworld. When Herakles was successful in this task as well, Eurystheas was so frightened that he begged Herakles to return the hound, releasing the hero from his servitude.

Behind the scenes

The painting featuring Herakles bringing Cerberos to Eurystheas, as seen in Discovery Tour: Ancient Greece, is from a Caeretan hydria from around 530 BCE.

Gallery

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  A painting from 6th century BCE featuring Herakles bringing Cerberos to Eurystheas

Appearances

• Assassin's Creed: Odyssey (artwork only)
  • Discovery Tour: Ancient Greece (artwork)