Greek mythology
Eurystheus
The cowardly king who imposed the Twelve Labors
- Mythology
- Greek mythology
- Group
- Mortal · Ruler
- Appears in
- Heracles
Listen to “Heracles” in the app
Eurystheus is the king of Tiryns and Mycenae, set above Heracles by Hera's scheming before his birth. He commands the hero through the Twelve Labors, hoping each impossible task will kill him, and hides in a bronze jar when Heracles brings back living monsters. After the hero's death he hunts his children, and is slain in the war that follows.
Related figures
Real episode from the app
Heracles
Chapter 1
00:00--:--
Frequently asked questions
- Who is Eurystheus?
- Eurystheus is the king of Tiryns and Mycenae, set above Heracles by Hera's scheming before his birth. He commands the hero through the Twelve Labors, hoping each impossible task will kill him, and hides in a bronze jar when Heracles brings back living monsters.
- Which mythology does Eurystheus belong to?
- Eurystheus belongs to Greek mythology.
- Which stories does Eurystheus appear in?
- Eurystheus appears in Heracles, told as chaptered audio dramas in MythologyNow.
Cite this page
APA
MythologyNow. (2026). Eurystheus. https://www.mythologynow.app/en/gods/eurystheusMLA
"Eurystheus." MythologyNow, 2026, https://www.mythologynow.app/en/gods/eurystheus.Chicago
MythologyNow. "Eurystheus." Accessed 2026. https://www.mythologynow.app/en/gods/eurystheus.Listen to the stories of Eurystheus
MythologyNow is out. Over 100 myths in audio, in six languages.