Every great hero has a sidekick, and Hercules is no exception. Iolaus is his childhood friend, a man whose short stature belies a true warrior's heart. Never one to turn away in the face of battle, Iolaus has been to the Other Side more than once during his adventuring with Hercules, but each time he has returned to take on new challenges.
Although he was engaged to be married, he went off with Hercules on the first adventure that caused his (temporary) death. After that, the very romantic Iolaus has a succession of relationships, the most heartbreaking of which is with Queen Niobe, the beautiful wife of his cousin King Orestes. His trusting nature has gotten him in trouble more than once, as well. Xena used it to dupe Hercules, and Aphrodite, the Goddess of Love, has taken advantage of him as well.
In addition to his skill with weapons, Iolaus has received training in the martial arts. He is also a wonderful impersonator whose acting skill has gotten the duo out of several scrapes. From time to time, being the "little brother" of a great hero has gotten to him, but in the end, Iolaus is happy to be living a life of adventure with his best friend.
When Iolaus and Hercules encounter Xena and Gabrielle on the way to save Prometheus, he is at first reluctant to forgive the warrior princess, but he comes to realize that she has indeed changed. He is attracted to Gabrielle but almost loses his life when he is wounded and cannot be healed until the Titan is rescued. He goes off again with Hercules, but Gabrielle encounters him again when she is on her way back to the Amazons with Xena's dead body.
