Heracles and Deianira
Heracles marries Deianira, but their story becomes entangled with the dying centaur Nessus and a fatal deception.
The Story
After many of his greatest adventures, Heracles married Deianira.
During their travels they came to the river Evenus.
The centaur Nessus offered to carry Deianira across.
While transporting her, Nessus attempted to assault her.
Heracles heard Deianira's cries and shot the centaur with one of his poisoned arrows.
Nessus was dying.
But before his death he devised a final act of revenge.
He told Deianira that his blood could be preserved as a charm capable of ensuring Heracles' love.
Deianira believed him.
She did not understand that the blood had been contaminated by the poison carried on Heracles' arrow.
Years later, when Deianira feared that Heracles' affection had turned elsewhere, she remembered the supposed love charm.
What she believed might restore her marriage would instead become the means of Heracles' destruction.
Key Figures
Why It Matters
The encounter with Nessus creates the chain of events leading directly to the death of Heracles.
Traditions & Variations
The precise circumstances of Deianira's jealousy and the preparation of the fatal garment differ across ancient treatments.