Iolaus
Iolaus was Heracles' beloved nephew and charioteer who helped him slay the Hydra by cauterising the stumps — the essential companion to the greatest hero.
The Legend of Iolaus
Son of Iphicles and nephew of Heracles, Iolaus served as his uncle's charioteer and closest companion. When Heracles fought the Hydra of Lerna, each severed head grew back twofold. Iolaus devised the solution: he cauterised each neck-stump with a burning torch as Heracles cut. Without this help, the labour would have failed — Eurystheus of Mycenae later disqualified it for that reason. Iolaus also aided Heracles against the Amazons and at Troy. Athena and Zeus granted him a brief return to youth to defend Heracles's children from Eurystheus after the hero's death.
Parents
Iphicles and Automedusa
Symbols
Words We Inherited
English words and phrases that trace back to this myth. See our full guide to English words from Greek mythology.
Explore Further
Sthenelus the Argive
🗡 heroEpigoni, Trojan War, Chariotry
Son of Capaneus, member of the Epigoni, and Diomedes' charioteer and closest companion at Troy.
Patroclus
🗡 heroAchilles' beloved companion
Patroclus was Achilles' closest companion whose death in borrowed armour at Hector's hands was the turning point of the Iliad.
Machaon
🗡 heromedicine
Son of Asclepius and chief surgeon of the Greek army at Troy, killed by Eurypylus son of Telephus.
Pylades
🗡 heroFaithful companion of Orestes
Pylades was the devoted friend of Orestes who accompanied him through matricide, madness, and exile — the exemplar of loyal friendship in Greek myth.
Antilochus
🗡 heroThe young warrior who died saving Nestor
The son of Nestor who died at Troy protecting his elderly father from Memnon — a sacrifice that moved Achilles to avenge him.
Antilochus
🗡 herowar
Son of Nestor, youngest Greek commander at Troy, beloved companion of Achilles who died protecting his father.
Hippothous
🗡 heroPelasgian leadership, combat
Leader of the Pelasgian allies of Troy who was killed fighting over the body of Patroclus
Eribotes
🗡 heroHealing, loyalty
Argonaut who served as a healer aboard the Argo and recovered the body of his fallen companion Canthus
Hector
🗡 heroChampion of Troy
Hector was Troy's greatest warrior, who fought not for glory but to defend his city, wife, and son.
Asclepius
🗡 heroGod of medicine and healing
The legendary physician who could cure any illness and even raise the dead. Son of Apollo, his skill in medicine was so great that Zeus struck him down to preserve the natural order.
Sarpédon
🗡 heroSon of Zeus who died at Troy
Sarpedon was a son of Zeus and the greatest Lycian warrior at Troy — his death forced Zeus to confront the limits of even divine power.
Kebriones
🗡 heroChariot driving, combat
Illegitimate son of Priam who served as Hector's charioteer and died in a fierce struggle over his body