Book Review of Greek Myths Vol II by Robert Graves Part 4.6

General Information:


Name of Book: The Greek Myths 2

ISBN: 0-14-001027-0

Publisher: Penguin

Year it was published: 1955

Overall theme:

"My method has been to assemble in harmonious narrative all the scattered elements of each myth, supported by little-known variants which may help to determine the meaning, and to answer all questions that arise, as best I can, in anthropological or historical terms. " (Vol. I 22)

138. The Conquest of Elis

Issue: Due to Fifth labor, Heracles marches against Augeias, King of Elis. Description of Augeias's nephews, twins known as Moliones, follows and their rule. During the war, Heracles's twin brother Iphicles passes away. He also deflowered a daughter by Olenus and killed her future husband the Centaur Eurytion. More deeds of Heracles are given, such as digging a canal, had widows and his soldiers repopulate Elis, establish Olympic Games in honor of Zeus, and then myths and stories of Heracles in Olympic Games follow.

139. The Capture of Pylus

Issue:  Because Pylus assisted Elis, Heracles began to fight against them, and that would include the Olympian gods and goddesses. After winning the battle, Heracles gives city to Nestor and comes to love him a lot. More wars follow and then a compromise. It is revealed that Nestor lived for at least 300 years.

140. The Sons of Hippocoon

Issue:  Story and background of how Heracles decides to go after Sparta and punish the sons of Hippocoon. Hippocoon's sons lost to Heracles and there is mention of how Sparta starts to sacrifice goats to Hera.

141. Auge

Issue: Aleus marries and has children, including Auge, a daughter. There was a prophecy that Neara's brothers, his wife's brothers, should die by the son of her daughter, thus Aleus forced Auge to be chaste until Heracles begot a child on her. She is sold to Carian merchants after giving birth. Telephus, the son of Auge and Heracles, is discovered, married to Argiope. More stories are told.

142. Deianeira

Issue: Heracles, to fulfill promise to Meleager, begins courting his sister Deianeira, along with an immortal by the name of Achelous. They wrestle, Heracles wins and marries Deianeira. More of Heracles' sexual conquests are recorded, as well as mention of Thespius sending his sons to two different places. More stories follow, Heracles kills by accident son of Architeles and tries to atone for it. Nessus, a Centaur tries to violte Deianeira, and when killed, tells Deianeira how to keep Heracles from straying.

143. Heracles in Trachis

Issue: Heracles settles in Trachis for a while, kills a king who is Dryopian, and kidnaps the king's son by name of Hylas. Due to the king's successor violating Apollo's shrine, Heracles kills him as well, and carries off the daughter Meda. More wars follow as well as a contest between Heracles and Cycnus, Ares's son. Heracles wins. On the way he carries of Astydameia, after destroying King Amyntor's kingdom.

144. Iole

Issue: Once more Heracles makes war, kills Iole's whole family, then upon the failure of suicide, she is taken to Heracles's wife Deianeira, and at that time there is a prophecy that Heracles is fated to die in fifteen months or else live in tranquility.

145. The Apotheosis of Heracles

Issue: Heracles, preparing for the Thanksgiving sacrifice, asks Deianeira for fine clothes. She decides to use Nessus's recipe and creates a shirt which causes Hydra's venom to dissolve, and eventually Heracles dies in Trachis on Mount Oeta. Deianeira either hangs or stabs herself. Heracles gives instructions, is burned, and deified by Zeus. He becomes adopted by Hera and marries Hebe and is popular and liked.

146. The Children of Heracles

Issue: Story of how after the death of Heracles, Eurystheus tries to get his sons expelled as well as anyone and everyone who is related to him, although that didn't work out due to Theseus and few others giving Heraclids aid. The Athenians defeat Eurystheus, although accounts vary on what happened. More wars are fought. Alcmene passes away and a stone is substituted for her body. Deeds of his sons continue.

147. Linus

Issue: Different Linuses are talked about as well as given history of, the author tries to distinguish one from the other.

148. The Argonauts Assemble

Issue: Pelias, son of Poseidon seized throne from Aeson and due to prophecy kills all sorts of Aeolians except for Aeson due to Tyre. Aeson fathers a child and is fooled that child is half dead, thus he is reared by Cheiron the Centaur. Jason reveals himself and gets sent to get the golden fleece from Colchis. List of men who were Argonauts is compiled.

To be continued...