Thiodamas or Thiodamantas

In Greek mythology, Thiodamas (Θειόδᾶμος) or Thiodamantas was a hero associated with the mythical cycle of Hercules. He appears in various traditions and is mentioned in several sources.

Origins and Family

Thiodamas was said to have been the king of the Dryopes, a people living in the barren area between the mountains of Oiti and Parnassos. According to some accounts, he also had connections with Cyprus. Thiodamas took Neura, the daughter of Ermou, as his wife, and they had a son named Dresaeus or Yla.

Encounter with Hercules

When Hercules and Deianira were expelled from Calydon, they marched through the country of the Dryopes with their son Hilo. Thiodamas was encountered by Hercules while plowing a field with two oxen. When asked for food for his son, Thiodamas refused, leading to a confrontation between the two. In the ensuing battle, Hercules killed and dismembered one of the oxen, which he then ate with Deianira and Hilo. Enraged, Thiodamas returned to the city and gathered a troop to attack Hercules. However, the hero ultimately emerged victorious, killing Thiodamas.

Legacy

Thiodamantas' son Hilas was taken by Hercules as a prisoner of war. This event is mentioned in various sources, including the Argonauts.

### Sources

* Emmy Patsi-Garin: Epitomical dictionary of Greek Mythology (1969)
* External references to Thiodamas can also be found in other ancient texts and accounts.

Note: I've kept the original spellings and names as they appear in the source snippets, while maintaining consistency throughout the article.