Our story today shows that to become a hero, or at least known throughout history, all you need is beauty and enough strength to lift a water jar. At least that is the way it is or was for Hylas. Who is Hylas?

Hylas is the son of Theodamas, king of the Dryopes and the nymph Menodice (Perseus). As with most heroes, his parentage includes a mystical or magical person and royalty. He is a well-groomed man (boy?) about five feet nine inches with silken, long, brown hair, clear eyes, and full lips. Why the detail to his appearance? It is his looks or beauty that gives Hylas a well-known name, and also, alas, his apparent end.

However, Hylas' boyish good looks can only take him so far. Hylas was blessed by Zeus when he became the page or protégé to Heracles. It is unclear as to when their association began, but evidence shows that Hylas must have been around during Heracles' labors, at least with Antaeas.

Our correspondent Wilfred Owen who followed the exploits of Heracles clearly remembers Hylas during that time. After Heracles had broken Antaeas' back, and won the wrestling match, he sat down to dinner with Hylas and many other followers. Antaeas had been able to regain his strength and approached the dinner the party. Heracles, having already achieved his labor, graciously offered Antaeas a seat at the table; however, Antaeas refused. It was the influence of Hylas that calmed Heracles and prevented a rematch from occurring. This impressed our correspondent so much that he even included it in his poetry (Najarian).

"And Gea sent that earthquake for her son,
To rouse him out of Death. And lo! he rose,
Alive, and came to Heracles
Who feasted with the people and their King.
And fain would make all a place for him
But he would not consent. And Heracles,
Knowing the hate of Hylas for his deeds,
Feasted and slept; and so forgot the man,
And early on the morrow passed with Hylas
Down to the Argo, for the wind was fair. (Poems 186)"

All this history behind Hylas leads to the peculiarity of his disappearance and why this disappearance remains infamous. So, what happened on that fateful day?

As already known by most Hellas, Jason and Argonauts were on the journey of the Golden Fleece in Colchis. During their trip, they stopped in Mysia in Asia Minor in order to rest and get water. It was at this time that Hylas left Heracles' side to go draw water from the spring Pegae or the river Ascanius. After that time, he has never been seen again. The only trace ever known was when Heracles' nephew, Polyphemus, heard Hylas cry out. At that time, Polyphemus thought that robbers might have attacked Hylas, but now that is not likely.

At this time, most authorities believe Hylas was abducted by water nymphs that fell in love with his beauty (Harris). Some believe it was a group of water nymphs while others believe it was only one named Krypis (Perseus). Another group even claims that during a dance by the nymphs, one named Dryope fell immediately in love with him when she saw the moon light on his that she dragged him into the water while trying to kiss him. There are also differing views on what the nymphs or naiads actually did with Hylas. Most believe he was simply dragged into the water to the unknown world of the nymphs. Others believe that they turned him into an echo, to fool the searches by Heracles and Polyphemus.

Once Heracles and Polyphemus realized Hylas was missing, they searched fervently for the young man. They were so persistent in their search that when it came for the Argos to set sail again, they were not on the ship. Heracles eventually joined the ship later but not Polyphemus (homepage).

Polyphemus stayed, continually searching for Hylas, continually calling his name, "Hylas, Hylas, Hylas." He was helped by the Mysian hostages that Heracles had captured and made promise to find the boy, dead or alive (Perseus). Polyphemus ended up dying without ever finding another trace of Hylas or hearing any news. Today, the local community Cios, which was founded by Polyphemus, and the priest honor Polyphemus' dedication by offering sacrifices and calling out "Hylas" three times. In return, an echo of the same is heard.

The authorities request that if anyone has seen the now grown man or have over heard any suspicious talk by water nymphs, to contact them immediately or tell Heracles. A description was included above, and should still be applicable since the nymphs kept him ageless. Included is a picture.

Works Cited

Harris, Platzner. Classical Mythology. P 228-9.

Najarian, James. "Greater Love: Wilfred Owen, Keats, and a Tradition of Desire". Twentieth Century Literature. Spring 2001, Vol. 47, Issue 1.

http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi- bin/ptext?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0062%3Aid%3Dhylas

http://homepage.mac.com/cparada/GML/Hylas.html