HYLLUS

Real Name: Hyllus

Identity/Class: Mystically-Enhanced Human, 13th Century BC (Post Hyborian)

Occupation: Warrior

Group Membership: The Heraclidae

Affiliations: Ally of the Theban and Athenian Armies

Enemies: Eurystheus

Known Relatives: Hercules (father), Deianeira (mother, see COMMENTS), Alexiares, Anicetus, Celtus, Telephus, Ctessipus, Lamus, Cleodaius, Tlepolemus, Scythes, Gelonus, Agathyrus (half-brothers),  Iole (wife), Cleodaeus (son), Apollo, Ares, Hephaestus, Hermes, Dionysus, (paternal uncles), Iphicles (uncle, deceased), Iolaus (cousin), Athena, Artemis, Venus, Eileithyia, Helen, Discord, Persephone, Pandia (paternal aunts), Hebe (paternal aunt/stepmother), Zeus (paternal grandfather), Alcmena (paternal grandmother), Meleager (maternal uncle, deceased), Gorge (maternal aunt), Oeneus (maternal grandfather, deceased), Althea (maternal grandmother, deceased), Thestius (maternal great-grandfather, deceased), Perseus, Andromeda, Cepheus, Cassiopeia, Acrisius, Lynceus, Hypermnestra, Danaus, Epaphus, Deucalion (notable ancestors, deceased), Neptune, Prometheus (ancestors)

Aliases: None

Base of Operations: Thebes (now part of Modern Greece) (13th Century BC)

First Appearance: Hercules III#2 (July, 2005)

Powers/Abilities: Hyllus possibly possessed extra-ordinary peak human strength due to the divine nature of his father, enabling him to lift (press) at least 800 pounds under optimal conditions. He was also a worthy soldier and combatant with a sword with battle-honed skills and a skilled horseman.

History: (Greek/Roman Myth) - Hyllus is the son of Hercules, the son of Zeus, and Deianeira, a Calydonian princess. Born in Trachis while Hercules was in self-imposed exile for the accidental death of a servant, Hyllus's mother committed suicide while he was still a young man over her role in Hercules's death as a mortal. He was protected by his mortal grandmother as Eurystheus, the King of Mycenae, sent armies to slaughter all children and descendants of Hercules out of fear that they would depose him for his throne.

As soon as he came of age, Hyllus married Iole, daughter of King Eurytion of Oechalia, whom his father had taken as a concubine years earlier. Although she was a few years his senior, she sired him a son, Cleodaeus.

(Greek/Roman Myth/ Hercules III#2 (fb)) - Alongside the armies of Thebes and Athens, Hyllus joined his half-brothers and their supporters in ousting Eurystheus from the throne of Mycenae and excising a form of venegeance over much of the Peloponessus for lands promised their father. Hyllus himself eventually captured Eurystheus alive at the Sceironian Rocks on the Isthmus of Corinth and delivered to Alcmena. In the protests of the Athenians, the vindictive woman ordered his execution and gouged out his eyes with sewing needles to render him blind. Hyllus then struck with his sword and beheaded the cowardly king with one stroke.

(Greek/Roman Myth) - Even after the death of Eurystheues, Hyllus and the Heraclidae lead forces over much of the Peloponessus. He was finally killed in a duel by king of Echemus of Arcadia who was defending the Peloponessus against the Heraclidae.

Comments: Adapted by Frank Tieri, Mark Texeira and James Palmiotti

Some myths claim that Hyllus was was actually Hercules' son by Melite, a minor goddess or Pheaecian princess he encountered while a guest of King Nausithous, who purified him for the murders of his children in the months leading up to the Twelve Labors. This scenario works excellently chronologically considering he would be an adult in time to slay Eurystheus, otherwise as a son of Deianeira, he would not have been old enough to confront Eurystheus. In the official account of the myth, the Hyllus who defeated Eurystheus was the son of Deianeira, and this is the version depicted here. 

Profile by: WillU

CLARIFICATIONS: Hyllus is possibly not to be confused with:  

  • Hylas, Argonaut, young ward of Hercules abducted by Pegae, a nymph, Not seen in the MU
  • Hyllus, son of Hercules and Melite, a Pheaecian princess, ancestor of the Hylleans, Not seen in the MU
  • Or any other "hyllus" or "hylas" in the MU

 

Images:
Hercules III#2, pg 3, bottom right
Hercules III#2, pg 6, bottom left

Issues:

Hercules III#2 (July, 2005) - Frank Tieri (writer), Mark Texeira (pencils), Jimmy Palmiotti (inks), Axel Alonso (editor)

Last updated: 12/04/05

Any Additions/Corrections? Please let me know.

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