June 9: Pride Month

Young prince Iphitos was hopelessly in love with his idol Herakles, but Herakles was more interested in his sister Iole. Nor Iole, nor her father were keen on a marriage though, since Herakles’ record as a husband wasn’t great. The king even falsely accused Herakles of stealing his cattle. Loyal Iphitos pleaded for his friend and helped looking for the real thief, and his unconditional devotion touched Herakles’ heart. When they finally became an item, it enraged supreme goddess Hera, who couldn’t stand Herakles being happy. Under her spell, Herakles turned against his faithful companion, after which remorse set in, causing him to fall violently ill. He went to Apollo’s oracle at Delphi, but the priestess had no cure to offer. Frustrated, he pushed her off her tripod and ran away with it, with an infuriated Apollo hot on his heels. Father Zeus had to intervene to restore the peace and give the Pythia back her chair. The events seemed to have cured Herakles from his disease. But not from his anger, as Iole and her father were still to find out.

Hercules and Apollo struggle for the tripod, Stamnos, Musée du Louvre, Paris, France

Hercules and Apollo struggle over the tripod, Neck-Amphora,

Walter Art Museum, Baltimore, USA

Did you know...

• After these events, Herakles took Iole as a concubine, which upset his wife at the time. Check out the story in "Gone with the Wind".