The capture of the Mares of Diomedes was Herakles eighth labor, following the capture of the Cretan Bull. Eurystheus told Herakles to capture the four mares of Diomedes, a giant and son of Ares and Kyrene (he was also the king of the Bistones in Thrace). These mares were savage and uncontrollable (just like their master) and man-eating. Lovely! Instead of eating hay and nibbling on succulent grasses, these mares were eating people (strangers, specifically) Diomedes fed them. Because of this unnatural diet they became crazy. They were so dangerous they weren't allowed to roam free, instead they had to be tethered and kept in sables. They couldn't be held by regular rope and instead were chained with bronze and in some accounts, in a bronze manger. Geez!
Herakles decided to take some companions, though only one seems to get singled out and named. He was Abderus ("son of battle"), son of Hermes. They went to the palace of Diomedes (which was near the Black Sea) and Diomedes, who had no idea who they were, thought he had some horse-food. To him, Herakles was just another stranger, a meal for his bloodthirsty mares. Herakles got into a wrestling match with Diomedes, which some accounts say went on for some time as they were pretty evenly matched. Abderus was left in charge of watching over the horses while Herakles dealt with Diomedes. This was an error. The mares turned on Abderus and he became dinner. This part seems to differ in myths. Some say he died first, before Herakles captured them and some say after. Either way, Abderus dies and Herakles is saddened and pissed.
Herakles gains the upper-hand and wins the wrestling match, no doubt suprising Diomedes. Being the son of Ares, this had to be a blow to his ego. After this wrestling match, Herakles gets Diomedes to the stables where he feeds the murderous mares their own master. Accounts say he was eaten alive. Ha! That had to suck. After this meal the mares calm down. It seems feeding them the flesh and blood of their master was a sort of antidote. It snapped them out of their insanity and now they became manageable. Herakles takes the mares and heads back to Eurystheus, though before he goes he gives his friend Abderus a worthy burial and founded a city (Abdera, Thrace) in his name. Athletic games were held in his honor, except for chariot races, it seems, out of honor for his death by horse.
Eurystheus was probably expecting savage mares, but when Herakles presented them to him they were quite calm. Eurystheus dedicated these mares to Hera, but she refused them. Once account said because they reflected Herakles glory and she didn't want to have anything tainted with that. So, they were let to roam in Argos where some were killed. At least one survived because it was said that Alexander the Great's beloved horse Bucephalus was said to be their descendent.
This Labor doesn't have the wow factor to me as the Ceryneian Hind, as that one required him to hunt the hind for a year and deal with Artemis. It's still a great feat though, as mythology indicates these mares were wild and savage...they sound like rabid, feral beasts, not mares. Honestly, these mares sound creepy. I could imagine them foaming at the mouth, with blood and bits of flesh at the muzzle. Very creepy.
This Labor does stand out because (and I've only read about this one and the Ceryneian Hind so far, so my scope is limited at the moment) he brought companions and one of them died. This no doubt added to his already huge weight of guilt. Even though I already wrote my Adorations, the descriptor of "founder of cities" came to mind. I just might have to add it. I wonder how many other cities he personally founded. I'm sure I'll find out!
Sites of Interest:
Enyclopedia Mythica
Wikipedia: Abdera, Thrace
Wikipedia: Mares of Diomedes
Wikipedia: Diomedes of Thrace
Wikipedia: Abderus
Theoi
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