IPHITOS (son of Eurytus, king of Oechalia)

Iphitus established the Olympic games at Olympia because the Eleians were considered a sacred people.⁷ A quoit belonging to Iphitus is kept among the offerings in this location, bearing an inscription detailing the truce proclaimed by the Eleans.⁸ The letters on the quoit are arranged in a circle rather than a straight line.⁸ He possessed a bow that was later discussed in the context of a meeting in Messene.⁹

Iphitus met Odysseus in Lacedaemon while acting as a stranger, or in Messene while seeking to recover twelve lost brood mares.^10,11 He gave Odysseus a bow and quiver that had previously belonged to his father Eurytus.^12,11 In exchange, he received a sword and a spear from Odysseus.¹¹ His death prevented him and Odysseus from ever visiting each other's homes.¹¹

After Heracles saved Alcestis, Iphitus traveled to meet him, refusing to believe that the hero had stolen cattle from Euboea.¹³ He invited Heracles to help him search for the stolen cattle, and the hero entertained him during their meeting.¹³ Suspecting that Heracles had stolen his father’s mares, Iphitus traveled to Tiryns to investigate the matter.³ Heracles killed Iphitus while he was a guest in his house.¹¹ Accounts differ on the manner of death: some say Heracles pushed him off a high peak or tower while he was distracted, while others state that Heracles threw Iphitus from the walls of Tiryns while in a fit of madness.^3,14,13 In a different tradition, Copreus, the son of Pelops, killed Iphitus and fled to Mycenae after the deed.¹⁵

The murder of Iphitus caused Heracles to suffer from a dire disease.¹³ An oracle required Heracles to pay compensation to Eurytus for Iphitus's death.¹³ Heracles later waged war against Oechalia, killing King Eurytus and sacking the city.^14,16 The Delphians accused Heracles of being responsible for Iphitus's death.¹⁷ His association with death necessitated a cleansing ritual for Heracles.¹⁸