Mares of Diomedes

What it is

The Mares of Diomedes were legendary horses in Greek mythology. They belonged to Diomedes, a king of Thrace. These animals were man-eaters that fed on human flesh. Their diet consisted of unsuspecting guests who visited Diomedes. The mares typically numbered four and served as a chariot team. They were known for their ferocity and speed. Some accounts described them as breathing fire or having wings. Their nature was tied to their master and their environment. They represented a challenge that required great strength to overcome.

Where it comes from

The horses originated in Thrace, a region in ancient Greece. They were stabled in the city of Tirida, which has since vanished. Pliny the Elder recorded this location. The mares' man-eating habit had various explanations. Some said Diomedes taught them to eat humans. Others blamed a local plant or the waters of the river Cossinitus. The myth is deeply embedded in the labours of Heracles. It represents one of the most dangerous tasks assigned to the hero.

How it is done

Heracles undertook the capture of the mares as his eighth labour. Two main versions of the event exist. In the earlier tradition, he went alone. He distracted the horses by feeding them a stablehand or Diomedes himself. This allowed him to break their chains and drive them away. In the second version, he brought men with him, including Abderus. After capturing the horses, he fought Diomedes and his Bistones warriors. Heracles killed Diomedes. Abderus was killed by the mares when they broke free. Heracles then returned with the horses.

Tools and materials

The mares were kept in a stone manger. They were restrained by bronze or iron chains. Heracles used these restraints to control them. In some depictions, a wheel appears to signify their role as a chariot team. Artistic sources show Heracles grappling the horses. He often wielded a club. The horses themselves were sometimes depicted with wings. Lucretius described them as breathing fire from their nostrils.

What it is for

The mares were used by Diomedes to feed on visitors. They served as a deadly defense for his palace. For Heracles, capturing them was a test of courage and strength. The task was assigned by King Eurystheus. It was part of a series of penance labours. The horses were eventually dedicated to Hera or released. Their capture demonstrated Heracles' ability to tame wild forces.

Who does it

Heracles was the primary practitioner in the myth. He was a demigod known for his immense strength. He acted alone or with companions like Abderus. Scholars study the variations in the stories. Ancient authors like Pindar and Diodorus Siculus recorded different accounts. Artists depicted the scene on vases and mosaics. The story evolved over centuries through literary and visual traditions.

Peoples and places

The myth is central to Greek mythology. It involves the Greeks and the Thracians. Diomedes was a Thracian king. Heracles was a Greek hero. The Bistones were a Thracian tribe allied with Diomedes. The story reflects Greek perceptions of northern neighbors. It also highlights the hero's dominance over foreign threats. The myth was popular in both Greek and Roman art.

What people believe

The mares represent untamed nature and danger. They are supernatural beasts that defy normal animal behavior. Their man-eating habit marks them as monstrous. The myth explains the origin of certain places, like Abdera. It also serves as an allegory for greed or excess. Rationalizers suggested the horses were just wild animals. Others claimed the name 'man-eater' was a metaphor for destructive breeding practices.

How scholars and sceptics see it

Ancient authors offered rationalizing interpretations. Palaephatus argued that 'man-eating' was a metaphor. He claimed Diomedes spent all his wealth on horses. His friends called the horses man-eaters out of frustration. Heraclitus suggested they were simply a herd of wild horses. Dio Chrysostom viewed the story as a lesson on virtue. Modern scholars analyze the iconography and textual variations. They track how the myth changed from early vase paintings to later literature.

Compare and confuse

The capture of the mares is similar to taming other mythical beasts. It resembles the capture of the Cretan Bull. Both involve subduing a powerful animal. The theme of feeding a monster to pacify it appears elsewhere. The rationalization of the myth parallels other euhemeristic explanations. The story shares elements with other labours involving wild creatures.

Questions people ask about Mares of Diomedes

Good reading and sources

• Mares of Diomedes on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos and video
• Wikidata recordOpen data