Diomedes of Thrace
The Thracian king who keeps man-eating mares and leads the Bistones in pursuit.
Overview
This Diomedes is the Thracian king of the Bistones, not the Argive hero of the Iliad. The labour targets the man-eating mares he keeps at iron mangers; after Heracles seizes them, the king and his people pursue and are defeated. The two namesakes belong to different families and story traditions.
Key facts
Keeper of the man-eating mares
He keeps the mares at iron mangers and feeds them human flesh.
Pursuit with the Bistones
After the mares are seized, Diomedes pursues with the Bistones and is defeated.
Relationships
- Mares of Diomedeskeeps the man-eating mares
The Thracian king Diomedes keeps the man-eating mares at iron mangers.
- Heraclesdefeats the pursuing king
Heracles defeats the Thracian king during the Bistones’ pursuit.
Story appearances
- The Labours of HeraclesDiomedes of Thrace in the Labours
Diomedes of Thrace 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.