ABSTRACT
Daughter of Oeneus, king of Calydon, and of Althaea; Heracles’ second wife. Heracles had heard of Deianira’s beauty in the Underworld from the ghost of her brother Meleager, who had begged him to marry her. But he had a rival, for the River Achelous also claimed her hand. The two held a wrestling match to decide the issue. Achelous changed himself into a bull, but Heracles broke off one of the horns and was the victor. So Heracles wed Deianira and helped her father Oeneus by subduing the Thesprotians. After this, however, he accidentally killed Oeneus’ cupbearer and had to leave the kingdom. He took Deianira with him on the road to Trachis; but the swollen River Evenus blocked their way. The Centaur Nessus offered to carry Deianira across the river while Heracles waded. In spite of their old enmity, Heracles agreed, but when he realised that Nessus was seizing the opportunity to try to rape her, he shot the Centaur with one of the arrows poisoned with the Hydra’s blood. As he died, Nessus, in pretended remorse, told Deianira that if ever Heracles’ love for her should seem to wane, she should dip a garment in his blood and give it to her husband to wear, since it would bring back his affection.
