Omphale
Lydian queen who owned Heracles as a slave and made him wear women's clothing
The Legend of Omphale
Omphale was the queen of Lydia in Asia Minor. When Heracles was afflicted with a terrible illness as punishment for murdering Iphitus, the oracle at Delphi decreed that he must be sold into slavery for three years, with the purchase price paid to Iphitus' family. Omphale bought him. During his servitude, Heracles performed heroic deeds for her kingdom, defeating bandits and capturing the mischievous Cercopes. However, ancient tradition also held that Omphale and Heracles became lovers, and she playfully humiliated the hero by dressing him in women's clothing and having him spin wool while she wore his lion skin and carried his club. After his servitude ended, their relationship may have produced a son, Lamus.
Parents
Iardanus
Children
Lamus (possibly)
Symbols
Fun Fact
The image of Heracles in a dress spinning wool became one of antiquity's favourite comic subjects in art
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