Eurytus (; Ancient Greek: Εὔρυτος) of Oechalia (Οἰχαλίᾱ, Oikhalíā), Thessaly, was a skillful archer of Greek mythology who was even said to have instructed Heracles in the art of using the bow.
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Family
Eurytus was the son of Melaneus either by Stratonice, daughter of King Porthaon of Calydon and Laothoe, or by the eponymous heroine Oechalia. He was the brother of Ambracias, eponym of Ambracia, a city in Epirus. Eurytus's grandfather was Apollo, the archer-god.
Eurytus married Antiope, daughter of Pylon (son of Naubolus) and had these children: Iphitus, Clytius, Toxeus, Deioneus, Molion, Didaeon, Hippasus and a very beautiful daughter, Iole. A late legend also makes Eurytus the father of Dryope, by his first wife. Hesiod calls his wife Antioche and they had four sons but Creophylus says only two.
Mythology
Contest with a god
According to Homer, Eurytus became so proud of his archery skills that he challenged Apollo. The god killed Eurytus for his presumption, and Eurytus's bow was passed to Iphitus, who later gave the bow to his friend Odysseus. It was this bow that Odysseus used to kill the suitors who had wanted to take his wife, Penelope.