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Iolaus
In Greek mythology, Iolaus (/aɪoʊˈleɪəs/; Ancient Greek: Ἰόλαος Iólāos) was a Theban divine hero. He was famed for being Heracles's charioteer and squire, and for helping with some of his Labors, as well as for being one of the Argonauts.
Iolaus was the son of Iphicles and Automedusa, daughter of King Alcathous of Megara. According to Plutarch, Heracles gave his wife, Megara, age thirty three, to Iolaus, then only sixteen years old. According to Pausanias, who cites Hesiod as the source, they had a daughter, Leipephilene, though the name is corrupt and has been amended by various editors to "Leipephile" (Λειπεφίλη), "Hippophile" (Ἱπποφίλη) or "Deiphile" (Δηιφίλη). Through this daughter, Iolaus was considered to have fathered the mythic and historic line of the kings of Corinth, ending with Telestes.[citation needed]
Iolaus often acted as Heracles's charioteer and companion. Plutarch, describing the Theban Sacred Band in his life of Pelopidas, said "It is a tradition likewise that Iolaus, who assisted Hercules in his labours and fought at his side, was beloved of him; and Aristotle observes that, even in his time, lovers plighted their faith at Iolaus's tomb."
Plutarch also described Heracles's male lovers in the Amatorius, saying there were too many to count, but that Iolaus and Admetus were two of the most notable. He said that Iolaus was honored by many for this love, and that it was popular for lovers to make reciprocal vows of affection at his tomb.
Iolaus provided essential help to Heracles in his battle against the Hydra, his second labor. Seeing that Heracles was being overwhelmed by the multi-headed monster (the Lernaean Hydra), who grew two heads in place of each one cut off, Iolaus helped by cauterizing each neck as Heracles beheaded it.
According to Diodorus Siculus, Iolaus was sent by Heracles to Sardinia, together with nine of the sons that he had with the fifty daughters of Thespius (the Thespiades), to colonize the island, giving rise to the Iolei people.
Iolaus and the Thespians were buried in Sardinia.[citation needed]
Aristotle said that Sardinia had practiced the rite of incubation, which is the liberation ritual of the people who were affected by nightmares and obsessions. These rituals included that the persons suffering from nightmares should sleep next to the tombs of heroes.
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Iolaus
In Greek mythology, Iolaus (/aɪoʊˈleɪəs/; Ancient Greek: Ἰόλαος Iólāos) was a Theban divine hero. He was famed for being Heracles's charioteer and squire, and for helping with some of his Labors, as well as for being one of the Argonauts.
Iolaus was the son of Iphicles and Automedusa, daughter of King Alcathous of Megara. According to Plutarch, Heracles gave his wife, Megara, age thirty three, to Iolaus, then only sixteen years old. According to Pausanias, who cites Hesiod as the source, they had a daughter, Leipephilene, though the name is corrupt and has been amended by various editors to "Leipephile" (Λειπεφίλη), "Hippophile" (Ἱπποφίλη) or "Deiphile" (Δηιφίλη). Through this daughter, Iolaus was considered to have fathered the mythic and historic line of the kings of Corinth, ending with Telestes.[citation needed]
Iolaus often acted as Heracles's charioteer and companion. Plutarch, describing the Theban Sacred Band in his life of Pelopidas, said "It is a tradition likewise that Iolaus, who assisted Hercules in his labours and fought at his side, was beloved of him; and Aristotle observes that, even in his time, lovers plighted their faith at Iolaus's tomb."
Plutarch also described Heracles's male lovers in the Amatorius, saying there were too many to count, but that Iolaus and Admetus were two of the most notable. He said that Iolaus was honored by many for this love, and that it was popular for lovers to make reciprocal vows of affection at his tomb.
Iolaus provided essential help to Heracles in his battle against the Hydra, his second labor. Seeing that Heracles was being overwhelmed by the multi-headed monster (the Lernaean Hydra), who grew two heads in place of each one cut off, Iolaus helped by cauterizing each neck as Heracles beheaded it.
According to Diodorus Siculus, Iolaus was sent by Heracles to Sardinia, together with nine of the sons that he had with the fifty daughters of Thespius (the Thespiades), to colonize the island, giving rise to the Iolei people.
Iolaus and the Thespians were buried in Sardinia.[citation needed]
Aristotle said that Sardinia had practiced the rite of incubation, which is the liberation ritual of the people who were affected by nightmares and obsessions. These rituals included that the persons suffering from nightmares should sleep next to the tombs of heroes.