Hero
Abderus
Heracles’ companion killed while guarding the man-eating mares.
Overview
Abderus preserves the human cost of the eighth labour. Heracles leaves the captured mares in his care while confronting their pursuers, but the animals drag the young companion to death. On returning, Heracles buries him and founds Abdera in his name, so the episode’s success does not erase the person lost while the prize was being guarded.
Relationships
- Mares of Diomedesdrag to death
The man-eating mares drag Abderus to death while he guards them.
Story appearances
- The Labours of HeraclesAbderus in the Labours
Abderus enters this story through Heracles' labours; when other stories return to the figure, they follow that later setting.
Ancient sources
MythWeave distinguishes ancient-source evidence from later adaptations and modern interpretation.