Eurystheus

Eurystheus was a mythical king of Mycenae? and grandson of the hero Perseus. He is notable mainly for the twelve labors he imposed on Heracles (Hercules), who he hated manly because their families had been rivals for the throne. Heracles' step-father Amphitryon was also a grandson of Perseus, and since Amphitryon's father (Alcmaeus) was older than Eurystheus' father (Sthenelus), ought to have received the kingdom, but Sthenelus had banished Amphitryon for accidentally murdering the eldest in the family (Electryon), and when Zeus proclaimed the next born descendent of Perseus should get the kingdom shortly before his son Heracles was born, Hera thwarted his ambitions by having Eurystheus born premature.

After Heracles died, Eurystheus attempted to destroy his many children, who fled to Athens. He attacked the city, but was soundly defeated, and he and his sons were killed. The stories about the killer of Eurystheus and the fate of his body vary, but the Athenians believed it remained on their soil and served to protect the country against the descendents of Heracles, which traditionally included the Spartans? and Argives?. After him, the brothers Atreus? and Thyestes?, who he had left in charge during his absence, took over the city, the former exiling the latter and assuming the kingship.