Iolaus’s Family Tree

About Iolaus →

Family

• Iphicles(parent)

  Iphicles, mortal twin of Heracles, fathered Iolaus, who became his uncle Heracles' most devoted companion and charioteer during the Twelve Labors.

Allied with

• Heracles

  Iolaus served as Heracles' charioteer and closest companion throughout the Twelve Labors. He assisted directly in slaying the Lernaean Hydra and accompanied Heracles on numerous campaigns across Greece.

• Hyllus

  Iolaus, Heracles' nephew and longtime companion, fought alongside Hyllus and the Heraclidae against Eurystheus. In Euripides' Children of Heracles, the aged Iolaus is miraculously rejuvenated to help defeat the enemy.

Enemy of

• Eurystheus

  After Heracles' death, Eurystheus persecuted the hero's children. The aged Iolaus championed the Heraclidae against Eurystheus and, in Euripides' Children of Heracles, was miraculously rejuvenated by Hebe and Zeus to defeat him in battle.

Slew

• Lernaean Hydra

  Heracles slew the Lernaean Hydra as his Second Labor, with his nephew Iolaus cauterizing each severed neck stump with fire to prevent the heads from regrowing.

Member of

• Argonauts

  Iolaus sailed with the Argonauts as the companion of Heracles on the quest for the Golden Fleece, according to Apollodorus' Bibliotheca.

Associated with

• Hebe

  In Euripides' Children of Heracles, the aged Iolaus prayed for strength in battle against Eurystheus, and Hebe miraculously restored his youth, allowing him to capture the fleeing king.

• Karkinos

  Carcinus attacked Heracles during the battle at Lerna while Iolaus assisted the hero by cauterizing the Hydra's neck stumps. Both were present at the same confrontation during the Second Labor.

• Megara

  In Plutarch's account and several mythographic traditions, Heracles gave his first wife Megara to his nephew Iolaus after the hero's madness and the death of his children, entrusting her to his most loyal companion.