CHAPTER25
MYTHS OF LOCAL HEROES
AND HEROINES
Every district in the Greek world had its local heroes and heroines, whose leg-
ends were often associated with local cults. Some of these became famous
throughout Greece, for example, Theseus of Athens and Bellerophon of Corinth.
Some were important local heroes who are known for their spectacular punish-
ments, like Ixion of Thessaly and Sisyphus of Corinth. Some, like Melampus of
Thessaly, attracted folktales and cult practices that spread their fame to other
areas. Some, like Ovid's Pyramus and Thisbe, have become famous because their
legend has been preserved by a master storyteller like Ovid. In this chapter we
discuss some of the legends that are associated with particular localities.
THESSALY
IXIONPindar tells the myth of Ixion, king of the Lapiths, son of Phlegyas (Pythian Odes
- 21-48):
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They say that Ixion, upon the winged wheel that rolls in every direction, by the
orders of the gods says this to mortals: "pay back the one who does you good
with gentle recompense." He learned this clearly. For he obtained a sweet life
among the children of Cronus, yet he did not long enjoy happiness. For with
mad thoughts he loved Hera, whom the bed of Zeus with its many pleasures
had as his portion. But Pride urged him on to overbearing folly, and soon the
man obtained a special woe, suffering what was reasonable. Two crimes bring
him lasting labor: the first, because he was the first hero to shed kindred blood
amongst mortals, not without clever planning; the second, that he made trial of
the wife of Zeus in the deeply hidden marriage chamber. But his unlawful pas-
sion cast him into overwhelming evil when he approached the bed, since he lay
beside a cloud, ignorant man, a sweet deception. For in appearance it was like
the daughter of Cronus, the greatest of the daughters of the son of Uranus. The
hands of Zeus put it there to deceive him, a beautiful cause of suffering. And
he accomplished his own destruction, bound to the four spokes. Cast down in
ineluctable fetters he proclaims his message to all. To him she [i.e., the cloud,
Nephele] bore a monstrous child, alone, without the Graces, a solitary child that602