HYLAS (companion of Heracles)
Figure of myth · mythical character, companion of Heracles abducted by nymphs
- Parents
- Theiodamas, Menodice
- In the sources
- 15 ancient passages
Hylas, son of Theiodamas and Menodice, stood as a brave companion to Heracles in the prime of his youth.1,2,3,4 With yellow, braided hair and a rosy flush of beauty, he possessed a sweet grace that marked him as the loveliest.5,6,4,7 He served aboard the ship Argo, bearing Heracles's arrows and guarding his bow during the voyage for the golden fleece.1,2,8 Heracles took the boy from his father's house in childhood, never separating from him to ensure he was properly trained.4,5 Through this constant guidance, Heracles taught Hylas all the skills that made him a mighty and renowned man, including how to plow a straight furrow and reach manhood.5
Despite Eurystheus's wishes, Hylas accompanied Heracles on the journey against the tyrant.2,5 The group stopped at a spring called Pegae, and the fable of his abduction is situated near the city of Prusias.4,9 Hylas was tasked with carrying provisions for his lord's return and sought water for the evening meal.4,1 He carried a bronze pitcher to the well, dipping it into the stream to draw water.4,6,10 As he bent to the water, a water nymph saw him with a rosy flush of beauty.4 Nymphs named Eunice, Malis, and Nycheia, who were dancing in the water, grabbed his hand because they loved the Argive boy.6 They pulled him down to their home while he was drawing water, causing him to sink headlong into the black water like a falling star.5,6 Hylas cried out during his disappearance, his voice thin and seeming far away despite being near.10,7 Polyphemus heard the cry, and Heracles and Polyphemus searched for him before the ship departed.1,11 The heroes mocked Heracles for abandoning the quest to search for the runaway boy.7 His disappearance forced Heracles to abandon the quest and walk to Phasis.5
Accounts differ regarding the specific cause of his loss, with some claiming robbers attacked him and others suggesting beasts were tearing him to pieces.10 However, the prevailing narrative holds that nymphs abducted him because of his physical attractiveness and carried him away after he disembarked.1,9 A goddess-nymph took Hylas as her husband because she fell in love with him, leaving him behind and wandering because of this relationship.12 Hylas died while in the water, despite being safe from other dangers.11 Heracles threatened to destroy the Mysian land if Hylas's fate was not revealed.3 The people of Cius continue to search for Hylas to this day, and inhabitants of Prusias call out his name while wandering mountains and woods.3,9
Hylas is counted among the Blessed ones.7 He remains a figure of tragic beauty, a weeping boy whose voice is thin and seems far away despite being near.7
The codex facts behind this entry
Hylas was a brave companion of Heracles in the prime of his youth who served aboard the ship Argo. Apollodorus 1.9.19 +3
Appearance
Hylas is described as having yellow, braided hair. Theocritus, Idyl 9 ¶13 +1
In the myths
Hylas left the group to fetch water for the vessel and the evening meal. Apollodorus 1.9.19 +2 Hylas went to a well and dipped his pitcher into the stream to draw water. Argonautica 1 ¶115 +2 Hylas accompanied Heracles on his journey against Eurystheus's wishes. Argonautica 1 ¶21 +2 Heracles and Polyphemus searched for him before the ship departed. Apollodorus 1.9.19 +1
Fate
Nymphs abducted him because of his physical attractiveness and carried him away after he disembarked. Apollodorus 1.9.19 +1
