a festival at Thebes, the same as that called Heraclia. It was instituted in honour of Hercules and his friend Iolas, who assisted him in conquering the hydra. It continued during several days, on the first of which were offered solemn sacrifices; the next day horse-races and athletic exercises were exhibited; the following day was set apart for wrestling; and the victors were crowned with garlands of myrtle generally used at funeral solemnities. But they were sometimes rewarded with tripods of brass. The place where the exercises were exhibited was called Iolation, where were to be seen the monument of Amphitryon and the cenotaph of Iolas, who was buried in Sardinia. These monuments were covered with garlands and flowers on the day of the festival.