Deianeira, Death and Apotheosis

Abstract

The character of Deianeira plays a key part in the life of Heracles, especially at the end, when she brings about his death. Although classical authors concur that she was the one who caused his death with the tunic soaked in Nessus’ blood, there is no real consensus over whether she was directly responsible for his death: some portray a scheming Deianeira who is fully conscious of her actions, while others depict an innocent Deianeira who believes she is simply casting a love spell on him. Other supporting roles in the Heracles-Deianeira drama are played by the river god Achelous, against whom Heracles wrestles to win Deianeira’s hand, and Nessus the Centaur, who gives Deianeira the blood used in the spell which leads to Heracles’ death and his apotheosis in Olympus, where he marries the goddess Hebe.