Iolaus
Heracles’ companion who cauterises the Hydra’s necks and stops their regrowth.
Overview
Iolaus is not a spectator in the second labour but part of its mechanism. When severed Hydra heads grow back in pairs, he lights a fire at the edge of the wood and cauterises each neck with burning brands. His intervention makes victory possible, yet it also gives Eurystheus the stated reason for refusing to count the labour.
Key facts
Cauterising the necks
At Heracles’ direction, Iolaus uses burning brands on each severed neck.
Help changes the count
The same help that stops the regrowth becomes Eurystheus’ reason for rejecting the task.
Relationships
- Heracleshelps stop regrowth with fire
Iolaus cauterises the necks so Heracles can complete the Hydra fight.
Story appearances
- The Labours of HeraclesIolaus in the Labours
Iolaus 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.