Author:
Jan Scholten
Book:
Secret Lanthanides
Type:
Mythology 1
Chapter:
2.6.17
2.6.17 Stage 17: Lutetium
The death of Heracles
The mighty river god Acheloös wanted to marry Deïaneira against her will and the will of her father, king Oineus of Calydon. Heracles conquers Acheloös and marries Deïaneira. They live happily for many years.
Heracles goes to get his revenge on king Eurytus, who had promised him his daughter, Iole. He conquers the king and his sons and takes Iole as a slave. Deïaneira becomes jealous and fears Heracles will love Iole more. She remembers the gift from Nessos, the centaur, and sends a beautiful garment drenched with Nessos' blood and the poison of the Hydra to Heracles as a victory gift. He puts on the garment on and is slain with hell-like pains, like fire and nothing helps. He makes a stake on the mount Oita and his friend Poias sets it on fire. In the fire his soul is purified and Heracles becomes immortal, goes to Olympus and is reconciled with Hera.
The death of Heracles is the end of the story. The end is Stage 17. It's letting go of everything.