Menoetes was a herdsman who looked after the cattle of Hades. He actually dared to challenge Heracles to a wrestling match. He lost, however, when his ribs were broken, and he was saved only by the pleas of
Persephone. The ill-fated match (or ill-matched fate) seems to be reflected in his name, if we interpret it as 'defying fate', from meno, 'to abide', 'stand by' and oitos, 'fate', 'doom'.
