Greek · No. 042

Mares of Diomedes

Real myth

Mares of Diomedes
They eat human flesh. Their owner learned that the hard way.
Rarity
Common
Category
Monster
ATK
1350
DEF
900
Level
4
Type
Beast
Element
Fire
Constellations
Sun · Bull

The myth

The Mares of Diomedes belonged to Diomedes, Thracian king of the Bistones and son of Ares, and they fed on human flesh. Bringing them back was the eighth labor of Heracles. According to Apollodorus, the hero overpowered the grooms and drove the mares to the sea, leaving them in the care of young Abderus, who was devoured; Heracles killed Diomedes and founded the city of Abdera beside his friend's tomb. Diodorus says the hero fed the king himself to the mares, which then grew calm. Brought to Eurystheus, they were set free and were finally killed by wild beasts on Mount Olympus.

Why it has this power

A Common level-4 card with 1350 ATK and 900 DEF: a fierce attack and a poor defense, because these mares charge without fear. A Fire Beast, echoing the Roman poet Lucretius, who pictured them breathing fire from their nostrils, it bears the Sun and Bull constellations of strong, untamed animals.

Did you know

Abdera, the city Heracles supposedly founded in his friend's honor, was later the hometown of the philosopher Democritus.

Connections

  • In Theron, Priest of the Underworld's deck

Where to get it

  • Daily Offering: 0% per pack (Common 64% per card)
  • Welcome Pack: 0.97% per pack (Common 70% per card)
  • Traveler's Pack: 0.88% per pack · 5.2% in the themed pack (Common 64% per card)
  • Bronze Reliquary: 0.86% per pack · 5.1% in the themed pack (Common 62% per card)
  • Silver Reliquary: 0.67% per pack · 4% in the themed pack (Common 49% per card)
  • Golden Reliquary: 0.46% per pack · 2.7% in the themed pack (Common 33% per card)
  • Daily Showcase: Shows up on about 0.69% of days · 150 gold
  • Craft with card dust: 40 dust
  • Crossing of Myths: Can be offered as a reward during a crossing (the card stays in the crossing deck).

Sources

  1. DIOMEDES - Thracian King of Greek Mythology — Aaron J. Atsma, Theoi Project
  2. The Library, Book 2 — Pseudo-Apollodorus (trans. J. G. Frazer), Theoi Classical Texts Library
  3. Library of History, Book 4.1-18 — Diodorus Siculus (trans. C. H. Oldfather), Theoi Classical Texts Library