Who was the nephew and charioteer of Heracles?

Iolaus was Heracles’ nephew and a famed charioteer and companion.

Iolaus was the son of Iphicles, Heracles’ half-brother, which made him Heracles’ nephew. He was closely associated with the hero and frequently accompanied him on adventures. Greek tradition presents him not merely as a driver but as a trusted squire, helper, and fellow warrior who could make a decisive contribution to Heracles’ labors.

His most famous assistance came during the battle with the Lernaean Hydra. Each time Heracles cut off one of the monster’s heads, additional heads could grow back. Iolaus helped by cauterizing the severed necks with fire, preventing them from regenerating. Because Iolaus assisted, Eurystheus later argued that the labor should not count as a task completed by Heracles alone.

Iolaus is sometimes confused with Heracles’ other allies, including Philoctetes, who was linked to the bow of Heracles, and Telamon, an Argonaut and warrior. Iolaus’s distinctive roles were nephew, charioteer, companion, and helper in the Hydra labor.