Nessos

Myth

Valerius Flaccus quotes “the Nessus black” among the centaurs combatant the Lapithes, but it describes it escaping.

After the death of Chiron and the dispersion of the centaurs, it is fixed on the edges of the river Événos where, according to Apollodore (II, 7,6) and Diodore, it lives while making pay the crossing with the travellers.

But it is especially known for its confrontation with Héraclès: whereas the hero, accompanied by his wife Déjanire, seeks to cross Événos, Nessos proposes to him to take care of Déjanire. Héraclès accepts, but having crossed the river, he hears the cries of his wife that Nessos tries to violate on other bank. He then strips one of his arrows coated of the poison of the Hydre de Lerne on the centaur. According to the most popular version, brought back by Ovide ( Metamorphoses , IX, 130-133):

“(...) Nessus with effort withdraws arrow. Blood spouts out of its double wound, and mixes with the poisons with the hydre whose dart is soiled: “Ah! at least, say he in itself, pimpernels not without revenge! ” And it gives to Déjanire its ensanglantée tunic, as an invaluable gift which can fix the heart of her husband. ”
(transl. G.T. Villenave, Paris, 1806.)

The consequences of this episode are described in particular in Trachiniennes of Sophocle: Déjanire, jealous of the love of her husband for Iole, decides to send the tunic to him. But as soon as that it puts it, Héraclès feels its skin to burn it under the effect of the poison of Hydre. Learning its error, Déjanire commits suicide and Héraclès, not being able to support the pain, makes draw up a Bûcher on the Mont Œta where he dies incinerated. Héraklès will be then accepted among the gods.

The term “tunic of Nessos” is sometimes used in reference to this legend to indicate a poisoned gift.

Sources

(II, 5,4; II, 7,6).
(IV, 36,3-5).
(IX, 98-133).
( passim ).
(I, 147).

See too

List of legendary objects

Random links: