Nessus (Greek myth)

Nessus was a centaur in Greek mythology, best known for his attempted assault on Deianira, the wife of Heracles, and his subsequent, fatal revenge. He was the son of Ixion and Nephele, a cloud nymph created by Zeus to test Ixion's virtue.

Nessus served as a ferryman, carrying travelers across the river Evenus. When Heracles and Deianira needed to cross the river, Heracles swam across, while Nessus offered to carry Deianira. However, while crossing, Nessus attempted to abduct or rape Deianira. Heracles, witnessing this from the other side, shot Nessus with an arrow poisoned with the venom of the Lernaean Hydra.

As he lay dying, Nessus deceptively told Deianira that his blood possessed a magical property: if she collected it, it could be used as a love potion to ensure Heracles' faithfulness. Deianira believed him and collected some of his blood.

Years later, when Deianira suspected that Heracles was falling in love with Iole, she smeared a robe with the blood, believing it would act as a love charm. However, the Hydra's venom in Nessus's blood still retained its potency and instead of a love potion, it became a deadly poison. When Heracles put on the robe, the venom burned his skin, causing him excruciating pain. To end his suffering, Heracles had himself placed on a funeral pyre.

Nessus’s actions, both the attempted assault and the deceptive advice, ultimately led to the death of Heracles, making him a significant figure in the Heracles cycle of myths, representing treachery and the unintended consequences of seemingly helpful advice.