MACARIA (daughter of Heracles)
Figure of myth · daughter of Heracles in Greek mythology
- Parents
- Heracles, Deianira
- Siblings
- Hyllus, Ctesippus, Glenus
- Consorts
- Thanatos
- Children
- Lyncus, Agamede
- In the sources
- 6 ancient passages
Macaria, daughter of Deianira and Heracles, was a brave and noble woman whose chiefest care lay with her brothers.1,2 She resided in a city threatened by the Argive spear.1 An oracle demanded a sacrifice to secure victory for the Athenians.1,2
Refusing to let a random lot decide who would die, Macaria chose to offer her life freely to save her kin.2,1 She preferred death to becoming an exile or being seen as a coward.1 Before departing, she requested to be crowned with garlands and asked Iolaus to carry her to the place of sacrifice.2 Macaria wished to die in the arms of women rather than men.2
In her final farewell, she asked Iolaus to veil her body with her robe and ensure she received a proper burial.2,3 She also requested that her brothers honor Iolaus and her grandmother Alcmene.3 Iolaus praised her heroic soul as surpassing all other women.3 Her voluntary death secured victory for the Athenians in their war, fulfilling the oracle's requirement.4,1,2 A spring in Marathon is named after her.4 She expressed a wish that no life of care exists beyond the grave.3
The codex facts behind this entry
Macaria was the daughter of Deianira and Heracles. Euripides, Heracleidae 474-519 +2
In the myths
Macaria voluntarily sacrificed her life to fulfill an oracle's requirement for the victory of the Athenians and to save her brothers and their companions. Euripides, Heracleidae 474-519 +3
