Linus
Legendary musician and teacher killed by his pupil Heracles with a lyre
The Legend of Linus
Linus was a famed musician, sometimes called the son of Apollo and a Muse, who was credited with inventing melody and rhythm. He was appointed as tutor to the young Heracles, teaching him music and letters. When Linus struck Heracles for making mistakes during a lesson, the hot-tempered boy seized the lyre and bashed his teacher over the head, killing him instantly. This accidental murder — Heracles did not know his own strength — forced Amphitryon to send the dangerous youth away to tend cattle in the countryside. Linus was mourned throughout Greece, and a dirge called the "Linus song" was sung at harvest time in his honour. His death illustrated both Heracles' raw power and his early lack of control.
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Fun Fact
The harvest dirge called the "Linus song" was sung across Greece for centuries after his mythical death
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