Heracles and Deianeira.
     While in Hades performing his twelfth labor, the abduction of Cerberus, Heracles (Hercules) met the shade of Meleager, who asked the hero to marry his sister Deianeira. To keep his promise, Heracles traveled to Calydon in Aetolia to ask King Oeneus for his daughter’s hand. Deianeira, however, had been promised to the river-god Achelous. Heracles challenged Ache-lous to a wrestling match. During the contest the god transformed himself into a bull; Heracles broke off one of his horns, thus securing the victory. Afterward, Heracles returned the horn to the river-god in exchange for the horn of the goat Amalthea, which could supply its owner with an endless bounty of food and drink; according to an alternate version, the Naiads retrieved Acheious’s horn and filled it with fruit and flowers. This cornu copiae (horn of plenty) has become a popular device in the visual arts.
     After winning Deianeira, Heracles brought her to Tiryns. On the way, they were assisted in crossing the flooded Evenus River by the centaur Nessus, who forded it with Deianeira on his back. When they reached the shore, the centaur tried to rape her, but Heracles killed him with a poisoned arrow. As he lay dying, Nessus told Deianeira to smear some of his blood on a garment, which would win back her husband’s love if she should ever lose it. This was the “shirt of Nessus” that later caused Heracles’ death.
     Deianeira and Heracles lived in Tiryns for a number of years. She bore him several children, including a son, Hyllus. After the murder of Iole’s brother Iphitus, Heracles’ family was exiled to Trachis.

Further Reference:
Galinsky, G. Karl. 1972. The Herakles Theme: The Adaptations of the Hero in Literature from Homer to the Twentieth Century. Totowa, N.J., Rowman & Littlefield.

Listings for Heracles are arranged under the following headings:
; Birth of Heracles; Infant Heracles and the Serpents; Choice of Heracles; Madness of Heracles; Pillars of Heracles; Heracles and Cacus; Heracles and Antaeus; Heracles and Deianeira; Heracles and Iole; Heracles and Omphale; Death of Heracles; Apotheosis

See also Heracles, Labors of; Alcestis; Jason, and the Argonauts; Laomedon; Odysseus, in Hades; Pirithous, Wedding; Prometheus, Freed; Theseus, and the Amazons; Titans and Giants