The Goddess Hera

It is often said that behind every great man there is a great woman. The same sentiment is true of the Greek gods and goddesses as well. Zeus may have been the supreme ruler of the Olympian gods but there was still Hera sat by his side. Hera was both sister and wife to Zeus and through the stories of Greek mythology it is Hera who plays the matriarchal role, and thus becomes the Greek goddess of women and marriage.

Whilst there are numerous differing versions of Greek myths, there are some basic agreed cornerstones for the stories.

Hera and Zeus - Annibale Carracci (1560–1609) - PD-art-100

As the Queen of Mount Olympus, Hera was the wife and older sister of Zeus, and eldest daughter of Kronus and Rhea. Upon her birth, Hera was promptly swallowed by the Titan Kronus, in order that a prophecy that one of Kronus’ children would take over the throne could not be fulfilled.
Zeus himself would have followed the same fate, had Rhea not substituted a stone wrapped in baby clothes for him. With Zeus safely hidden on the island of Crete, Rhea tricked Kronus into taking an invincibility’ herb, that in fact made him regurgitate the other children; Hestia, Demeter, Hera, Hades and Poseidon. When Zeus grew older and more powerful, he banished Kronus to the deepest chasm of the underworld at Tartarus, and the Olympians took over.

In her position as Queen of Mount Olympus, Hera’s main role was that of goddess of birth and marriage, and it is told that her virginity is restored each year when she bathes in the Canathus well.
The worship of Hera though predates the worship of Zeus, and her role within what is now thought to be traditional Greek mythology is often seen a demotion. The oldest places of worship in ancient Greece are all dedicated to Hera, and much evidence for her worship dates back tens of thousand years. The worship of Hera dates back to a time when “God” was perceived to be a woman, an idea linked to “Mother Earth”, and in particular the visible miracle of childbirth. There is evidence that the earliest worship of Hera was therefore linked to the matriarchal society that inhabited Greece at that time.

Hera at the Louvre - Jastrow - Released into PD

It was the coming of the Hellenes people, from Indo-European roots, that the idea of the supreme female god was replaced by a male figure, Zeus. Whilst the new religion spread throughout Greece there is evidence that some areas, including Crete, continued to worship the “Great Mother”, but even in these enclaves eventually the traditional’ mythology took over.

Even within traditional Greek mythology, Hera, though continued to be held in high esteem, with many of the largest temples consecrated to her, and a cult grew out of the worship. Many towns worshipped Hera as their town’s goddess, these included the city states of Argos and Mycenae, public celebrations called Heraia would take place on a regular basis in honour of the goddess. There were other notable temples consecrated to Hera at Corinth, Delos, Olympia, Paestum, Perachora, Sparta and Tiryns.

One of the most important places of worship though was at Samos, and displays just how honoured Hera was. In 800BC an enclosed temple was built, where the normal build was for an open roofed sanctuary. A series of temples to Hera was built on the same site, including the Heraion which was one of the largest Greek temples built. Just as important to the number and size of the temples built to Hera in one site, is the range of offertory items which have been found on the site. Items of offering have been found which have originated in Armenia, Assyria, Babylon, Egypt and Iran, which is indicative of the widespread nature of Hera worship.

Within Greek mythology, more often than not Hera is seen in the role as a vindictive woman, often with just cause, but other stories show how even in being vindictive Hera could be helpful and kind to those she favoured. Hera was certainly jealous of Zeus’ extra-matrimonial affairs, and would punish her rivals and their children, be they mortal or gods, as she saw fit. No more is this apparent than in the stories of Heracles (Hercules).

Judgement of Paris - Attributed to Charles Errard (1606–1689) - PD-art-100

Heracles was the son of Zeus and a mortal woman, and even when Acmene was pregnant with Heracles, Hera attempted to prevent the birth by tying Acmene’s legs together. Despite Heracles being named in Hera’s honour, as it means Hera-famous’, she was consistently seeking his demise. Whilst Heracles was still an infant, Hera sent two serpents to kill him in his cot, Heracles of course throttled both of them. It was Hera who initiated Heracles Twelve tasks, and at each stage sought to make each task more difficult, often providing deadly enemies. At the same time Hera is credited with the creation of the Milky Way in some stories, believing that each star was spurt of her breast milk, when she found she had been tricked into breast feeding Heracles.

Despite being the matriarch, was not a kindly mother figure to her children or step children. Her children in matrimony with Zeus were Ares (God of War); Eileithyia (Goddess of Childbirth); Eris (Goddess of Discord) and Hebe (Goddess of Youth). Some stories relate how Hera gave birth without an actual union with Zeus, and would give birth by slapping her hand on the ground. Her son Hephaestus was given birth to without Zeus being involved, an act of jealous revenge against Zeus for the birth of Athena. This act of revenge though backfired, when Hera threw Hephaestus out of Mount Olympus for his ugliness. Hephaestus gained his own retribution when he ensnared Hera in a magical throne; Hera was only released, when Aphrodite was given to Hephaestus as a wife.

Jealousy though is the centre piece of most of the tales of Hera. The nymph Echo was cursed by Hera to always repeat the words of others, after Hera found out Zeus had given Echo the job of distracting Hera whilst Zeus was having his affairs. The subjects of Zeus’ affairs were also subject to Hera’s wrath.

Zeus’ mistress, Io, was turned into a white heifer by Zeus to avoid the two of them being caught together. The heifer was presented to Hera as a gift and was promptly put in the charge of Argus, a giant with one hundred eyes, to ensure that Zeus was separated from Io. Zeus had Hermes kill Argus, and on finding out Hera took the giant’s eyes and placed them on the plumage of the peacock. With her watch-keeper gone, Hera sent a gadfly to sting Io as the heifer wandered the earth.

Hera also tried to prevent the birth of Apollo and Artemis, when she discovered that Leto had become pregnant by Zeus. Hera banned Leto from giving birth on any part of the mainland or island. Though Leto found the floating island of Delos, the story goes that after being born Artemis assisted in the birth of Apollo.

Hera seemed to spend much of her time chasing after Zeus’ lovers, when she learned that Semele, a mortal princess from Thebes, was pregnant by Zeus, she tricked the princess into getting Zeus to show his true form. In his true form the thunder and lightning killed Semele, though Zeus completed the gestation of Dionysus in his own thigh. There are a number of versions of this story, although Hera does not look good in any of them, with the worst version having Hera send her Titans to rip the baby apart.

Occasionally Hera would get there before Zeus had impregnated anyone. One such instance was with Lamia, who was a queen of Libya, who Hera turned into a monster so Zeus would no longer love her.
All in all it didn’t do to cross Hera, part of the Trojan war is blamed on her anger, as Paris decided that Aphrodite was the most beautiful of the goddesses, thus angering Hera. There was no god or goddess who could stand up to Hera, although Zeus occasionally did tie her up to Mount Olympus with anvils tied to her feet.

There are though acts of kindness. Jason would not have retrieved the Golden Fleece without the assistance of Hera, although it was also an act of revenge against Pelias for committing murder in one of Hera’s temples. Kindness was also bestowed on Cydippe, a priestess of Hera, her sons were ordained to die in their sleep, after showing devotion to their mother and Hera. The two sons, Biton and Cleobis, had pulled a cart 8 kilometres to a festival in the goddess’ honour.

Hera is always portrayed as a solemn and majestic goddess, normally residing on a throne with a polos’ (tall crown) on her head. Primarily though Hera is thought of as a Cow Goddess, though the symbolism is rather a maternal cow, than the Minotaur image normally reserved for Greek mythology. Hera is also closely associated with pomegranates, as an emblem of marriage, fertile blood and death, closely associated with her role as matriarch. In addition Hera was also closely linked with peacocks, from Argus and the one hundred eyes, to the fact that Hera’s wagon is usually identified as being pulled by the birds.

Hera was certainly the most powerful female figure in Greek mythology, although some observers still view this as a demotion from her former position as the all powerful God. She has though always been portrayed as a stern and solemn figure with a highly jealous nature, although this can be justified by Zeus’ actions, whilst acts of kindness are normally over shadowed. Despite this she was widely worshipped, with some great temples built in her honour, with her image being transferred to other religions, including Egyptian and Roman.

Copyright - First Published 20th February 2008

Monsters in Greek mythology

The stories of Greek mythology are full of gods and heroes, mythical creatures and monsters, and these stories have thrilled audiences for millennia. With a few exceptions, the monsters are less famous than the heroes and gods, but their role in the tales of Greek mythology are vital. For without an antagonist the heroes and gods would be nothing.

Arguably the most important monsters from Greek mythology are Echidna and Typhon. One of the epitaphs of Echidna was “mother of monsters”, and with her partner, Typhon, gave birth to many famous monsters.

Echidna is generally considered to be the offspring of Tartarus and Gaia, and was noted as a Drakaina. Echidna had the upper body and face of a beautiful nymph, with the lower half of her body being that of a serpent. Echidna was said to have also had a taste for human flesh.

Typhon - Wenceslaus Hollar (1607–1677) - PD-art-70

Echidna lived with her partner, Typhon, in a cave in Arima, and Typhon was thought of as being even more monstrous than his wife. Like his partner Typhon was said to be born from Tartarus and Gaia, and in essence was also half humanoid and half serpent. In terms of size though, he was totally different from Echidna as his upper body was said to reach as high as the stars. On his hands were a hundred dragon heads. His bottom half was that of an enormous snake.

Typhon was considered the deadliest of all monsters, and at one point he and Echidna went to war with the gods of Mount Olympus. In the face of the two monsters all of the gods, bar Zeus, fled from their palaces. Zeus would though eventually overcome Typhon and would imprison the monster beneath Mount Etna. Echidna was allowed to return to Arima, although she was eventually killed by the giant Argus Panoptes.

In the original sources for Greek mythology there is not always agreement about just who the offspring of Echidna and Typhon were, but those mentioned are some of the most famous monsters.
Amongst the offspring were the Nemean Lion, the ferocious beast with impenetrable skin that terrorised the city of Nemea. The Nemean Lion was killed by Heracles as he completed his first task. Heracles, in his second task, would encounter another of Echidna’s children, the Lernaean Hydra.

The Nemean Lion - Francisco de Zurbarán (1598–1664) - PD-art-70

The Hydra was a water beast with nine heads, but when a head was cut off two heads grew in its place. Heracles again dispatched the monster, although with a little help from his nephew, Iolaus.
Further monstrous offspring of Echidna were also dispatched by Heracles, with Ladon, the hundred-headed dragon who guarded the Hesperides, and Orthus, the two-headed guard dog of the cattle of Geryon, were also killed. Heracles also met with Cerberus, the triple-head guard dog of the underworld, although Cerberus was abducted rather than killed by the Greek hero.

Other children of Echidna would also meet their ends at the hands of other Greek heroes; the Crommyonian Sow, a wild pig, was killed by Theseus, the Sphinx, killed herself after Oedipus solved her riddle, and the Chimera was killed by Bellerophon.

All of the monsters from Greek mythology mentioned so far were born monstrous. There were though other monsters that came into existence at the instigation of Olympian gods.

The Minotaur is a favourite monster from Greek mythology. Born to Pasiphae, the wife of King Minos, the Minotaur was said to inhabit the labyrinth beneath the Cretan king’s palace. Aphrodite had made Pasiphae fall in love with a bull after her husband had slighted Poseidon. To the Minotaur were sacrificed seven Athenian males and seven maidens each year until Theseus killed the half-bull, half-man beast.

One version of the Medusa myth also states that the Gorgon was transformed from a beautiful maiden into the snake-headed monster by Athena. Athena gave this punishment to Medusa after she was raped by Poseidon in one of Athena’s temples. Such was the monstrous nature of the created beast that the merest glimpse of her face would turn a man into stone, and yet ultimately Perseus was able to defeat the Gorgon.

Medusa - Arnold Böcklin (1827–1901) - PD-art-70

A similar tale tells of how the sea monster, Scylla was transformed from a beautiful naiad after either Amphitrite or Circe became jealous of her beauty. Scylla would cause the death of many a mariner as she was positioned across from Charybdis.

There were though many other monsters in Greek mythology, although some, like the Hecatonchires and first generation Cyclopes, were monstrous in appearance, but not so monstrous in their actions. The monsters of Greek mythology were the perfect antagonists to the gods and heroes, and gave purpose to their exploits.

Copyright  - First Published 28th November 2008

The Hero Jason in Greek Mythology

Jason is one of the most famous of heroes in Greek mythology, and is arguably second only to Heracles, in terms of being the best known Greek hero today.

The story of Jason effectively begins in Thessaly where Aeson, Jason’s father, was prevented from being king of Iolcus by his half-brother Pelias. This act caused a prophecy to be made, a prophecy that stated that a family member, a descendent of his grandfather Aeolus, the king of the winds, would usurp him.

Pelias set about killing every descendent he could find, although he spared his brother after their mother, Tyro, pleaded with him. Aeson’s wife, Alcimede, was pregnant with a son, and to avoid him being put to death, Acimede and her attendants pretended that the child was still born. After a fake burial, the newborn was sent away into the care of the centaur Chiron on Mount Pelion.

The Argo - Konstantinos Volanakis (1837–1907) - PD-art-70

In Greek mythology Chiron trained many of the great Greek heroes, including Achilles, Asclepius, Theseus and Perseus, and he did likewise for Jason. Little is said in the Greek myths about this training, but when he was 20 years of age, he was told to make his way back to Iolcus.

In the meantime, Pelias, believing that he had circumvented the first prophecy, visited an oracle again. This time a new prophecy was made, warning the king to beware a man with one sandal.

Jason, on his journey from Mount Pelion to Iolcus, stopped to help an old woman to cross the river Anavros. Unbeknownst to Jason, this old woman was the goddess Hera, who was plotting her own revenge of King Pelias for his sacrilege in killing Sidero in one of the goddess’ temples. In helping the old woman across the river, Jason would lose one sandal, and he would have to travel on with one bare foot.

Iolcus was in the midst of a period of games, organised by King Pelias, when Jason arrived in the city. With so many prominent people from all over Greece his guests, King Pelias could not kill Jason as he wished, so instead set him the seemingly impossible task of retrieving the Golden Fleece. If Jason was successful, then Pelias would give up the throne.

Heroes from across Greece gathered to undertake the quest, and Jason was ultimately elected leader of the expedition to Colchis, and so onboard the Argo, Jason and his companions set sail. In the adventures of the Argonauts, Jason doesn’t come across as a great leader or exceptionally heroic.

Route of the Argo - Maris Stella - CC-BY-SA-4.0

On Lemnos, Jason and all bar Heracles are distracted by the local women. On Gegeines it is Heracles who does most to keep the quest on track, and in dealing with the Harpies that are torturing Phineas, it is the Boreads who deal with the threat of the bird-women. On the voyage to Colchis Jason also falls out with several of the Argonauts, and most notably, Jason has an argument with Telamon.

Even when Jason arrives at Colchis and the court of King Aeetes, the image of Jason is hardly improved; Jason is overwhelmed by the difficulty of tasks he is faced to take possession of the Golden Fleece. Ultimately it is only through the intervention of the goddesses Hera, Athena and Aphrodite, and King Aeetes’ daughter Medea that Jason is successful.

Aphrodite ensures that Medea falls in love with Jason, and so it is Medea who tells Jason how to harness the fire-breathing oxen and plough the field, as well as providing him with ointment to protect him. It is also Medea who tells Jason how to defeat the Spartoi, who emerge from where the teeth of the dragon are sown. The final task of defeating the sleepless dragon is also undertaken with the aid of Medea, who provides a potion to finally put the dragon into a deep sleep, allowing for the easy removal of the Golden Fleece.

As Jason, Medea and the remaining Argonauts flee from Colchis, Jason is then involved in a decision which angers even Zeus himself. To delay the pursuing Cochian fleet, Medea and/or Jason kill Aeetes’ son, Apsyrtus, and dismembering the body, throw the body parts overboard, delaying the fleet as they slow to pick the parts up. On the return journey Jason has to seek atonement from Circe for the murder.

Jason with the Golden Fleece - Erasmus Quellinus II (1607–1678) - PD-art-70

The successful return of the Argo to Greece is primarily down to Medea and Orpheus, for Orpheus drowns out the sound of the Sirens to allow the ship to pass relatively safely, and Medea kills Talos, the guardian of Crete, to gain allow safe passage. On the journey back to Greece though, Jason and Medea are married.

So despite not being overly heroic, Jason has ultimately been successful, but it is not simply the gods’ wish that Pelias should just lose his throne, and Medea arranges for Pelias’ own daughter to kill their father. Even so Jason doesn’t become King of Iolcus, as Acatus, Pelias’ son takes possession and sends Medea and Jason into exile in Corinth.

In Greek mythology heroes rarely lived out their lives peacefully; Achilles was killed on the battlefield; Agamemnon was murdered on his return home; Bellerophon was crippled after trying to fly to the peak of Mount Olympus; Heracles was effectively killed by a poisoned cloak; and Theseus was thrown from a cliff. Jason was no exception to this pattern.

Medea and Jason were said to have spent ten happy years in Corinth, after being exiled from Icolus. Jason became father to two sons, Mermeros and Pheres, although some sources also name further offspring, Alcimenes, Thessalus, Tisandrus and Eriopos; Eriopis being the only daughter.

Jason seemingly became bored with being married to a barbarian princess, and so became engaged to the Corinthian princess, Glauce, daughter of King Creon. Jason perhaps did not intend to abandon Medea after the marriage, but Medea did not want to be kept as a mistress, and her anger rose. Angering a sorceress was not a wise course of action in Greek mythology, and Medea killed Glauce by means of a poisoned bridal robe, a robe that also killed Glauce’s father.

Mermeros and Pheres, Jason’s two sons were also killed; either directly at the hands of Medea, to cause the Greek hero additional pain, or at the hands of the Corinthians angered by the killing of their king and princess.

There are two versions about how Jason came to die. One version says that the hero was so distraught at the loss of his bride-to-be and children that he committed suicide. A second, more famous version, tells though of how Jason wandered from the palace at Corinth until he came to rest beneath the bow of the decaying Argo; whilst Jason lay in the shade part of the mystical boat, a piece fell off killing him.

Jason is regarded as a hero as he managed to complete a seemingly impossible task. His actions and demeanour though are not necessarily considered heroic, and if compared to Heracles, then Jason doesn’t appear to be a hero at all. Despite this, Jason is given the title of Greek hero, and his legend remains famous today.

Copyright - First Published 11th January 2014

Thalia in Greek Mythology

Although uncommon it is not unknown amongst the names of Greek mythology to have different immortals or mortals with the same name. The name of Thalia is one of those occasions when a name is found connected to different individuals. There are thought to be four distinct individuals that bear the name Thalia, although in truth it is only the Muse and the Charity that get much coverage in ancient texts.


The Muse, Thalia was one of the nine younger Muses, the eighth daughter born to Zeus and Mnemosyne. Each of the nine younger muses was given authority over an area within the arts and sciences, and given responsibility to inspire mortals to partake in their particular art.

The nine muses were normally named as Calliope, Muse of epic poetry; Clio, history; Erato. Lyric poetry; Euterpe, music; Melpomene, tragic literature; Polyhmnia, sacred poetry; Terpsichore, dance; Thalia, comedy and pastoral poetry; and Urania, astronomy.

Dance of the Muses - Joseph Paelinck - PD-art-100

With Thalia given dominion over comedy and pastoral poetry, she was normally displayed with a comic mask over her eyes and a shepherd's crook in her hand. Additionally the ivy was often perceived to be sacred to her. The role of Thalia was certainly more joyful than her sisters, and although the other muses would inspire some great works, it was Thalia's inspiration that caused laughter to emanate from ancient theatres.


The Muses would often spend their time amongst the mortals of Greece providing them with the inspiration needed to write and to create, although the also played an important role on Mount Olympus. There they were one of the forms of entertainment for the Olympian gods, and would retell of the greatness of Zeus and his family, but would also recount the adventures of the heroes of Greece, including the likes of Heracles and Theseus.


There position on Mount Olympus also ensured that they came to the attention of the Greek god Apollo. Apollo took over the role as their leader and became intimate with a number of them, including Thalia. Thalia indeed gave birth to seven Corybantes, dance spirits, from the relationship.


The Charity Thalia was also an offspring of Zeus, although this time the mother was said to be Eurynome. Also known as the Graces, there were only three sisters, as compared with the nine Muses, and were Euphrosyne, also known as Mirth; Aglaea, Splendour; and Thalia, Good Cheer.

Thalia as a Grace, had a similar role to that of her namesake amongst the Muses, and was said to inspire mortals in the arts, and provide them with talents to achieve. Although the Graces were occasionally present at Mount Olympus they were also to be found in Hades, the Underworld, and were also attendants to the goddess Aphrodite. Thalia though was also recognised as a goddess of fertility.

The Three Graces - Sandro Botticelli - PD-art-100

As previously mentioned it was not unusual for more than one individual to have the same name, just as it is not unusual today to find many famous people with the same name as others. Within Greek mythology though, it is unusual to find two fairly prominent individuals given the same title.

Copyright - First Published 19th July 2009

Keywords - Thalia Charity, Thalia Muse, Thalia Greek mythology, 

The Monstrous Typhon in Greek Mythology

Read through the popular accounts of Greek mythology and it would almost seem that the Olympian gods were all powerful and dominant. The rise of Zeus though only occurred after a ten year war, the Titanomachy, fought against the Titans, and even when entrenched in Mount Olympus the rule of Zeus was challenged on a number of occasions. The most famous of the challengers to Zeus and the Olympian gods was Typhon the deadliest of all monsters of ancient Greek literature and mythology.

Normally Typhon, who was also known as Typhoeus, is normally said to have been the son of Gaia, the earth, and Tartarus, Tartarus being the primeval deity rather than the famous prison used by the Titans and the Olympian gods. With Gaia as a parent though, Typhon was half-brother to the Titans, who would go on to rule during the Golden Age. Typhon though was shunned by his siblings due to his appearance.

Typhon and Harpies - Wenceslaus Hollar (1607–1677) - PD-art-100

Typhon was said to be the greatest of all monster, larger than anything that had existed before, and his head was said to reach the stars. The size of Typhon though was not the reason as to why he was shunned. Neither was it because of the trunk of his body, which was vaguely humanoid, it was the rest of hid body that caused him to stand out. The bottom part of his body below his thighs comprised of two coiled vipers. His hands were also made up of hundred dragon heads, or serpent heads, each spitting fire or venom.

Despite being the original monster, Typhon appears to have been content to live in a cave in Arima, situated beneath the surface of the earth, with his mate Echidna. There is little said of Typhon during the uprising of the Olympian gods, and instead in the Arima cave the couple gave birth to the most famous of the monsters from Greek mythology. Their offspring included the Nemean Lion, of impenetrable skin fame; Cerberus, the guard dog from Hades; the Ladon, the hundred headed dragon guardian of the golden apples; the Lernaean Hydra; the Sphinx and the Chimera.

The Sphinx though was killed by Oedipus on the road to Thebes, though Typhon took revenge by turning him mad. Heracles though was aided by Zeus and the other Olympian gods in his quests, and so managed to kill the Hydra and the Nemean Lion. The assistance of the Olympian gods in the slaughter of his offspring though shook off the contentment that Typhon had previously displayed, and the monster declared war on the gods of Mount Olympus. Typhon and Echidna therefore left their home at Arima, and made their way through Greece towards the home of the gods. The Olympian gods fled in front of them, and whole cities were destroyed by the pair, as the Olympians fled so Typhon threw whole mountains after them.

As the Olympians fled it was only Zeus who was prepared to stand and fight. Typhon took on the ruler of the gods, and the fight was so severe that Zeus was said to have been almost killed on numerous occsasions. Of course Zeus was destined to win the fight, although it came at a time when Typhon was at his attacking best. With Zeus on the back foot, Typhon tried to pick up Mount Etna to throw at Zeus. Zeus though took the opportunity offered to him, and as Typhon raised the mountain above him, the monster was hit by a succession of Zeus’ lightning bolts. Mount Etna fell on top of Typhon burying him.

Etruscan Mural of Typhon - PD-old-100

Defeated, Typhon was imprisoned beneath Mount Etna for eternity, separated from his partner, Echidna, who was allowed to return to Arima. It was extremely rare for the enemies of Zeus and his siblings to be put to death, and were normally given some type of eternal punishment. In his prison though Typhon continued to display his power, with occasional releases of fire from his eyes, which reaches the surface of the earth in the form of lava.

The story of Typhon shows how the rule of the Olympian gods was occasionally challenged and yet showed how they would always be successful in the end.

Copyright - First Published 11th July 2009

Keywords - Typhon Greek mythology, Typhoeus Greek mythology, Typhon and Echidna, Typhon versus Zeus

Sisyphus in Greek Mythology

In Greek mythology Sisyphus is one of the most famous residents of Hades, the Underworld. Punished by the gods of Mount Olympus, Sisyphus is compelled to undertake the impossible task of rolling a boulder uphill.

In life Sisyphus was King of Ephyra, a city that would become known as Corinth, and was son of the king of Thessaly, Aeolus. Extremely clever, Sisyphus was equally cruel, killing many of the guests who visited his palace.

Sisyphus Pushing His Stone - Bernard Picart (1673–1733) - PD-art-100

The most famous tale of the life of Sisyphus occurs when his neighbour, Autolycus, son of Hermes, stole some of his cattle. Maia had provided Autolycus with the ability to change the appearance of the cattle, and so Sisyphus could not prove the continued theft of his cattle. Sisyphus though came up with the plan to identify his cattle by burning his name into the hooves of his cattle. With the next theft Sisyphus stormed his neighbour’s land and identified his cattle, although Autolycus continued to pronounce his innocence. In revenge Sisyphus kidnapped Autolycus’ daughter, Anticlia, to make her his wife.

Sisyphus was said to have been married three times. Firstly to Anticlia, the daughter of Autolycus, with whom, some sources claim, that Sisyphus is the father of Odysseus. He was also married to Merope, one of the Pleiades, and Tyro. His descendents included the famous hero, Bellerophon.
It is though not the life of Sisyphus that has immortalised the Greek king, but rather events surrounding his death. Being a cruel king might eventually have brought him to the notice of the gods, but annoying them was likely to bring forth their anger a lot more quickly. Sisyphus believed that his cleverness gave him the right to keep track of the movement and activities of the gods.
Thus meant that when Zeus abducted Aegina, and took her away when transformed as an eagle, Sisyphus informed Aegina’s father, the river god, Asopus, of the events that had passed. Zeus of course didn’t like a mortal interfering in his affairs, and decreed that the life of Sisyphus was now forfeit.

Thanatos, Death, was dispatched to collect the king. In some sources Thanatos is replaced by Hades. At this point the cleverness and guile of Sisyphus kicked in. Thanatos had brought chains with him to bind the king for his trip into the Underworld, Sisyphus though tricked death into showing how the chains worked by getting death to put them on. Thanatos was thus trapped, whilst Sisyphus could continue as king.

With death trapped though no-one on earth could die something which annoyed Ares, the god of war, no end. Battles without death were without point. Ares himself came to free Thanatos, and passed Sisyphus over into death’s care. Again in some sources, Ares is replaced by Hades, annoyed at the lack of souls making their way into his domain.

Sisyphus though was still not ready to pass into the Underworld, and had told his wife that on his death he should not be buried. When Thanatos brought the king into Hades he had bypassed the normal passage route over the River Styx, with Charon acting as ferryman. Thus it was that Sisyphus managed to convince Persephone, Hades’ wife, that he did not belong in the Underworld, and required a proper burial. Persephone agreed to allow him to go back to the surface in order that he should be buried properly, although of course Sisyphus had no intention of returning to the Underworld once free.

Sisyphus - Max Klinger (1857–1920) - PD-art-100

Sisyphus wandered once again throughout his domain, but gods could not be avoided for ever, and Zeus dispatched Hermes to forcibly return the king into Hades’ hands. With Sisyphus finally in Tartarus, a fitting punishment for his insolence was devised. Sisyphus was condemned to roll a boulder up a hill everyday. The boulder just before reaching the summit of the hill though would roll back down to the bottom of the hill, compelling Sisyphus to start his ordeal once again.

Copyright - First Published 8th April 2011

Keywords- Sisyphus, the myth of Sisyphus, Sisyphus in Greek mythology