Eryx
Sicilian king and champion boxer, son of Aphrodite, killed by Heracles in a wrestling match.
The Legend of Eryx
Eryx was the king of the region around Mount Eryx in northwestern Sicily and its eponymous hero. He was the son of Aphrodite and Butes, the Argonaut who had leaped toward the Sirens. Eryx was renowned as a wrestler and boxer — among the most powerful in the western Mediterranean — and challenged all strangers to bouts, killing those he defeated. When Heracles was driving the cattle of Geryon through Sicily, one of the bulls escaped and swam to Eryx's territory. Eryx refused to return the animal unless Heracles could beat him in wrestling. Heracles agreed, wagering his immortality against the kingship of Sicily. He killed Eryx on the third fall and claimed the land as prize, leaving it to be held by the locals until a descendant of his should come to claim it — a founding legend the Spartan king Dorieus later invoked when he attempted to colonize the region. The sanctuary of Aphrodite on Mount Eryx was one of the most famous in the ancient western Mediterranean.
Symbols
Fun Fact
Heracles wagered his own immortality against the kingship of Sicily when he wrestled Eryx — one of the very few myths in which he risked his divine nature as a bet.
Explore Further
Amycus
🗡 heroBoxing, brutality
Savage king of the Bebryces who challenged all visitors to a boxing match and was defeated by Polydeuces
Cercyon
🗡 heroNone recorded
King of Eleusis who forced travellers to wrestle him to the death until Theseus arrived
Mecisteus
🗡 heroNone recorded
Argive warrior and boxer who competed at the funeral games of Oedipus at Thebes
Phocus of Aegina
🗡 heroAthletic Rivalry, Fratricide, Eponymous Hero
Son of Aeacus killed by his half-brothers Peleus and Telamon, giving his name to the region of Phocis.
Theseus
🗡 heroSlayer of the Minotaur, king of Athens
The hero who navigated the Labyrinth, slew the Minotaur, and became the legendary king of Athens. Theseus was considered Athens's national hero.
Alcathous
🗡 heroCity Foundation, Athletic Victory
Son of Pelops who rebuilt the walls of Megara and won the throne by slaying the Cithaeronian lion.
Euryalus
🗡 heroBoxing, Argive warfare
Son of Mecisteus who commanded part of the Argive contingent and won the boxing match at Patroclus's funeral games
Amyclas
🗡 heroKingship, Laconia
Legendary king of Sparta and founder of the ancient city of Amyclae near Sparta
Erginus
🗡 heroWar, Tribute, Later Fatherhood
King of Orchomenus who exacted tribute from Thebes until defeated by the young Heracles.
Oenomaus
🗡 heroNone recorded
A king of Pisa who killed the suitors of his daughter Hippodamia in rigged chariot races until Pelops defeated him through trickery and divine favour
Abas
🗡 heroKingship, warfare
King of Argos renowned as a fierce warrior whose very shield could terrify enemies
Minos
🗡 heroKing of Crete, judge of the dead
Minos was the legendary king of Crete who ruled the first great maritime empire, commissioned the Labyrinth, and became a judge of the dead in the underworld.