The Story of Lyssa
Lyssa was the spirit of rage, madness and frenzy. In Euripides' play Heracles, she is a daughter of Nyx, born from the blood of Uranus. Her name was also the Greek word for rabies, the disease that drove dogs mad.
Lyssa is best known for her part in the madness of Heracles. In Euripides' play, Hera sends Iris and Lyssa to strike the hero, and Lyssa surprisingly protests that he does not deserve it before she obeys. Seized by her frenzy, Heracles believes his own children belong to his enemy Eurystheus and kills them. Some vase paintings also show her urging on the hounds that tore apart the hunter Actaeon.
The Greeks saw Lyssa as the force behind sudden, violent madness, the kind that made a person or an animal lose all control. She was not worshipped, but she was feared. She remains one of the most chilling figures of Greek tragedy, a goddess who carried out a terrible task even while knowing it was wrong.
Famous Myths About Lyssa
The Madness of Heracles
In Euripides' play Heracles, Hera sends Iris and Lyssa to drive the hero mad. Lyssa reluctantly obeys, and Heracles, believing his own children are those of his enemy Eurystheus, kills them in his frenzy.
Lyssa's Family Tree
Parents of Lyssa
Partners of Lyssa
Children of Lyssa
Frequently Asked Questions About Lyssa
Who is Lyssa in Greek mythology?
Lyssa is the spirit of rage, madness and frenzy, and she was also linked with rabies in dogs.
What did Lyssa do to Heracles?
In Euripides's play Heracles, Hera sent Lyssa to drive Heracles mad, and in his madness he killed his wife and children.
Who are Lyssa's parents?
In Euripides, Lyssa is a daughter of Nyx, born from the blood of Uranus.
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