The myth of Milo of Croton revolves around his extraordinary strength and a tragic end that highlights the limits of human power. Milo was an ancient Greek wrestler from the city of Croton in southern Italy, renowned for his six Olympic victories in wrestling during the 6th century BCE. His legend is filled with remarkable feats of strength, many of which border on the mythical.
One of the most famous stories about Milo is how he trained by carrying a calf on his shoulders every day. As the calf grew into a full-grown bull, Milo’s strength increased correspondingly until, one day, he carried the bull around the stadium, slaughtered it, and ate it in a single day.
Despite his strength, Milo’s tale ends in tragedy. According to legend, Milo encountered a tree trunk split with wedges while walking through a forest. Believing he could split the trunk with his bare hands, he inserted his fingers into the gap and tried to tear it apart. However, the wedges fell out, trapping his hands. Helpless, he was unable to free himself, and eventually, wild animals came and devoured him.
The myth of Milo serves as both an example of incredible human potential and a cautionary tale about hubris, illustrating that even the strongest can be brought down by their overconfidence.