In Greek mythology, Iole was the daughter of King Eurytus of Oechalia. According to the brief epitome in the Bibliotheca, Eurytus had a beautiful young daughter named Iole who was eligible for marriage. Iole was claimed by Heracles for a bride, but Eurytus refused her hand in marriage. Iole was indirectly the cause of Heracles' death because of his wife's jealousy of her.
Iole with Heracles in the house of Eurytus, as depicted on the seventh-century Eurytos column-crater, Louvre. Iole's name is given in its Corinthian (Doric) form Ϝιόλᾱ ("Viola"), with digamma and a local Σ-shaped form for iota. It is located under the name of Heracles in the right upper corner of the image.
Santi di Tito: Iole and Hercules
Heracles abducts Iole, second century AD relief, Archaeological Museum of Piraeus.
Woodcut illustration of Hercules (dressed as both a man and a woman) and Iole
In Greek mythology King Eurytus of Oechalia, Thessaly, was a skillful archer who even said to have instructed Heracles in his art of using the bow.
Image of King Eurytus of Oechalia in an Etruscan vase from Caere. Eurytus is depicted next to Heracles during a symposium. Krater of corinthian columns called Krater of Eurytus, circa 600 B.C.
