Eurystheus

American

[yoo-ris-thee-uhs, -thyoos, yuh-] / yʊˈrɪs θi əs, -θyus, yə- /

noun

Classical Mythology.

a king of Mycenae and cousin of Hercules, upon whom he imposed 12 labors.

Eurystheus British

/ jʊˈrɪsθjuːs, -θɪəs /

noun

Greek myth a grandson of Perseus, who, through the favour of Hera, inherited the kingship of Mycenae, which Zeus had intended for Hercules

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

After that, Eurystheus, a cautious man, would not let him inside the city.

From "Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes" by Edith Hamilton

Hercules mastered him, put him in a boat and brought him to Eurystheus.

From "Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes" by Edith Hamilton

Eurystheus very sensibly did not want to keep him and made Hercules carry him back.

From "Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes" by Edith Hamilton

It is plain from the rest of the story that the priestess knew what Eurystheus was like and that he would beyond question purge Hercules thoroughly.

From "Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes" by Edith Hamilton

The tasks Eurystheus gave him to do are called “the Labors of Hercules.”

From "Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes" by Edith Hamilton

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023