He then criticized Diomedes for not making any positive proposal to replace Agamemnon's opinion a failure which Nestor ascribed to his youth. He still kept an eye on Calydonian politics (his father's homeland), and when the sons of Agrius (led by Thersites) put Oeneus (Diomedes grandfather) in jail and their own father on the throne, Diomedes decided to restore Oeneus to the throne. Diomedes was king of the Greek city Argos. In Fellini's movie 8, a cardinal tells this story to actor Marcello Mastroianni. According to the Epic Cycle, Odysseus and Phoenix did this. I am following your instructions and retreating for I know that Ares is fighting among the Trojans". Not bothering with weapons, Diomedes picks up a huge stone and crushes his enemy's hip with it. In The Odyssey, the gods are often much less grand. She not only gave the whip back to the son of Tydeus but also put fresh strength to his horses and went after Eumelus to break his yoke. [43] His armour was preserved in a temple of Athena at Luceria in Apulia, and a gold chain of his was shown in a temple of Artemis in Peucetia. Odysseus is tasked with finding Achilles--the greatest warrior of his age, without whom the Greeks cannot possibly win in Troy--but he has so many places to look and the young man's companion, who is traveling with himself and his comrade Diomedes, is so very distracting. Tzetzes on Lycophron, 602, 618. His offenses include advising the theft of the Palladium and, of course, the strategem of the Trojan Horse. Ajax owned the biggest armour and the tallest shield which covered most of his body leaving only two places vulnerable; his neck and armpits. Apart from his outstanding fighting abilities and courage, Diomedes is on several crucial occasions shown to possess great wisdom, which is acknowledged and respected by his much older comrades, including Agamemnon and Nestor. This article incorporates text from Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology (1870) by William Smith, which is in the public domain. Therefore, he gave it back to his enemy, Aeneas.[30]. Diomedes answered, "Hector will talk among the Trojans and say, 'The son of Tydeus fled before me to the ships.' Odysseus (Ancient Greek Religion & Lore) Diomedes (Ancient Greek Religion & Lore) Drunk Sex Spitroasting Dubious Consent Blow Jobs Anal Sex Dom/sub Undertones Odysseus and Diomedes decide to exploit the young prince of Pylos Language: English Words: 1,784 Chapters: 1/1 Kudos: 14 Bookmarks: 5 Hits: 275 Ilios High School by Kaetastrophic [33], The Palamedes affair haunted several Achaean Leaders including Diomedes. The Achaeans somehow managed to persuade the seer/warrior to reveal the weakness of Troy. [24] Diomedes is generally regarded as the person who physically removed the Palladium and carried it away to the ships. Philoctetes hated Odysseus, Agamemnon and Menelaus, because they were responsible for leaving him behind. Having truthfully revealed valuable things, Dolon expected to be taken as a prisoner to the ships, or to be tied up, while the other two found out whether he had told them the truth or not. Pindar mentions the hero's deification in Nemean X, where he says "the golden-haired, gray-eyed goddess made Diomedes an immortal god. Meanwhile, one brave Trojan named Glaucus challenged the son of Tydeus to a single combat. The Diomedes of the Iliad and the Epic Cycle is a violent man. An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works There are less known versions of Diomedes' afterlife. Diomedes was the son of Tydeus, who was banished from Caydon after killing his relatives and paternal uncles, hoping to usurp his father Oeneus's throne. Even if all other Achaeans lost their faith and went home, he and Sthenelus would still remain and continue to fight till Troy was sacked. When Athena saw Diomedes resting near his horses, she mocked him, reminding him of Tydeus who frequently disobeyed her advice. He himself was subsequently worshiped as a divine being, especially in Italy, where statues of him existed at Argyripa, Metapontum, Thurii, and other places.41, There are traces in Greece also of the worship of Diomedes, for it is said that he was placed among the gods together with the Dioscuri, and that Athena conferred upon him the immortality which had been intended for his father Tydeus. Once in Troy, Odysseus murdered Palamedes (the commander who outwitted Odysseus in Ithaca, proving him to be feigning insanity and thus forcing him to stand by his oath and join the alliance), drowning him while he was fishing. [41] Diomedes eventually speaks and states that, as punishment for his involvement at Troy, he never reached his fatherland of Argos and that he never saw his beloved wife again. Diomedes, in Greek legend, the son of Tydeus, the Aetolian hero who was one of the Seven Against Thebes. Idaeus of the Trojans came for a peace negotiation, and he offered to give back all the treasures Paris stole plus moreeverything except Helen. This is the vaunt he will make, and may the earth then swallow me." Hector then seized the battlefield and slew many Achaeans. The king of Argos, he was also a great warrior, killing and wounding many of the Trojans and their allies, during the Trojan War, including Aphrodite who intervened to keep him from killing her son Aeneas. When there, we may keep out of the battle and beyond the range of the spears lest we get fresh wounds in addition to what we have already, but we can spur on others, who have been indulging their spleen and holding aloof from battle hitherto." When two men are together, one of them may see some opportunity which the other has not caught sight of; if a man is alone he is less full of resource, and his wit is weaker." He thus wounded Aphrodite and drove her from the field of battle,7 and Ares himself was likewise wounded by him.8, Diomedes was wounded by Pandareus, whom, however, he afterwards slew with many other Trojans.9 In the attack of the Trojans on the Greek camp, he and Odysseus offered a brave resistance, but Diomedes was wounded and returned to the ships.10 He wore a cuirass made by Hephaestus, but sometimes also a lion's skin.11 At the funeral games of Patroclus he conquered in the chariot-race, and received a woman and a tripod as his prize.12 He also conquered the Telamonian Ajax in single combat, and won the sword which Achilles had offered as the prize.13 He is described in the Iliad in general as brave in war and wise in council,14 in battle furious like a mountain torrent, and the terror of the Trojans, whom he chases before him, as a lion chases goats.15 He is strong like a god,16 and the Trojan women during their sacrifice to Athena pray to her to break his spear and to make him fall.17 He himself knows no fear, and refuses his consent when Agamemnon proposes to take to flight, and he declares that, if all flee, he and his friend Sthenelus will stay and fight till Troy shall fall.18, The story of Diomedes, like those of other heroes of the Trojan time, has received various additions and embellishments from the hands of later writers, of which we shall notice the principal ones. He is throw into peril and there often seems to be no hope for his return home. Thersites was so quarrelsome and abusive in character that only his cousin, Diomedes, mourned for him. Pandarus throws his spear first and brags that he has killed the son of Tydeus. The Greek hero Diomedes, at one time a suitor of Helen of Troy, was one of the most valued leaders of the Achaeans (Greeks) in the Trojan War, providing perhaps as many as 80 ships. A drinking song to Harmodius, one of the famous tyrannicides of Athens, includes a reference to Diomedes as an inhabitant of the Islands of the Blessed, along with Achilles and Harmodius.[53]. Diomedes then makes a prediction (based on Homeric tradition) that eventually becomes true. Some of the other Trojan warriors slain by Diomedes during that night were Coroebus who came to Troy to win the hand of Cassandra,[31] Eurydamas and Eurycoon. Translated by Horace Leonard Jones. Dolon proved to be the better runner but Athena infused fresh strength into the son of Tydeus for she feared some other Achaean might earn the glory of being first to hit Dolon. Diomedes was the commander of 80 Argive ships and one of the most respected leaders in the Trojan War. Diomedes also encourages Agamemnon to take the lead of next day's battle. [50], On San Nicola Island of the Tremiti Archipelago there is a Hellenic period tomb called Diomedes's Tomb. She also put on the helmet of Hades, making her invisible to even gods. Monro (ed. In addition, he told about a major weakness in Trojan army. He took his land which he assigned to the Dorians, his followers. Helenus then sent Hector to the city of Troy to tell their mother about what was happening. Meanwhile, Diomedes ran towards Hector to get his spear. The failure of Achaean leaders to punish Ajax the Lesser for the sacrilege of Athena's altar resulted in earning her wrath. Odysseus used this sentiment to his advantage when he invented the Trojan Horse stratagem. [40] Venulus, one of Latinus' messengers, recalls the mission to Diomedes after they seek his help in the war against the Rutulians. According to some interpretations, Diomedes is represented in the epic as the most valiant soldier of the war, who avoids committing hubris. Odysseus. She has been featured by NPR and National Geographic for her ancient history expertise. They took the spoils and set them upon a tamarisk tree in honour of Athena. 3. He first marched against Thebes, avenging the seven famous leaders who died on their failed assault of the city and bringing glory back to his own family. 2. "Old man, I look to attain to honored age; but while my Strength yet exists, not a single foe will escape me with life. However, he still displays self-restraint and humility to retreat before Ares and give way to Apollo thus remaining within mortal limits. Therefore turn from me your hands against young men, if you hope ever to come to grey hairs such as mine." "The sons of the Achaeans shouted applause at the words of Diomedes, and presently Nestor rose to speak. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. Diomedes threw his spear over Dolon's shoulders and ordered him to stop. He was also the only hero except Heracles, son of Zeus, that attacked Olympian gods. This council was approved by all. Thersites mocked Achilles for his behaviour, because the hero was mourning his enemy. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. With little effort, they create uncertainty and fear in the enemy's ranks while boosting morale among their own forces. Diomedes: Leader in the Trojan War. Finally, Aeneas (son of Aphrodite) asks Pandarus to mount his chariot so that they may fight Diomedes together. They strengthened their initial forces with contingents from Messenia, Arcadia, Corinth, and Megara. There he was recognized by Helen, who told him where the Palladium was. They managed to reach home safely but Athena called upon Poseidon to bring a violent storm upon most of the other Achaean ships. "Little Iliad" argument 24. He was born to Tydeus and Deipyle and later became King of Argos, succeeding his maternal grandfather, Adrastus. The Achaeans were devastated at this. [7] However, Hesiod does not include Diomedes in his list of suitors. But if I lay my hands on you and take your life, you will never be a nuisance to the Argives again." Cunning Diomedes only gave away a bronze armour for the golden one he received. While the others were sleeping inside their tents, king Diomedes was seen outside his tent clad in his armour sleeping upon an ox skin, already well-prepared for any problem he may encounter at night. [9] According to Hyginus, Diomedes went with Odysseus to fetch Iphigenia, making this the two companions' first mission together. There was a temple consecrated to Diomedes called 'The Timavo' at the Adriatic. Tydeus was Athena's favorite warrior at the time, and when he was dying she wanted to offer him a magic elixir (which she had obtained from her father) that would make him immortal. Diomedes owned the fastest horses after Achilles (who did not participate). [26] The expression 'Diomedeian Compulsion' also originated from this. Fleeing for his life, he sailed to Italy and founded Argyripa (later Arpi) in Apulia, eventually making peace with the Trojans. The son of Tydeus explained "If another will go with me, I could do this in greater confidence and comfort. The transgression of Diomedes by attacking Apollo had its consequences. According to Apollodorus, Diomedes won the footrace. [30] Diomedes then reminds him of the previous insult and tells him that his behavior is not proper for a leader. These words were applauded by all and Agamemnon said, "This is the answer of the Achaeans.". They resolved to not fight each other and Diomedes proposed exchanging their armours. Diomedes and Odysseus . As far as can be surmised from extant This speech signifies the nature of Homeric tradition where fate and divine interventions have superiority over human choices. goldenbluesky Athena and her relationship with Odysseus and Diomedes Hey guys! This incident is the best example for Diomedes remarkable bravery. He may have encountered Aeneas again in Italy. Or, as the Latin writers call him, Ulysses, Ulyxes or Ulixes, one of the principal Greek heroes in the Trojan war. The first night mission also fulfills one of the prophecies required for the fall of Troy: that Troy will not fall while the horses of Rhesus feed upon its plains. In Homer's Iliad Diomedes is regarded alongside Ajax the Great and Agamemnon, after Achilles, as one of the best warriors of all the Achaeans in prowess (which is especially made clear in Book 7 of the Iliad when Ajax the Greater, Diomedes, and Agamemnon are the most wished for by the Achaeans to fight Hector out of nine volunteers, who included Odysseus and Ajax the Lesser). That being so, upon returning home to Argos, Diomedes ascended to the throne. Ten years later, the Epigoni set out to launch another expedition against Thebes, appointing Alcmaeon as their commander-in-chief. Loeb Classical Press, 1923. He writes that Diomedes himself had sovereignty over the areas around the Adriatic, citing the islands of Diomedes as proof of this, as well as the various tribes of people who worshiped him even in contemporary times, including the Heneti and the Dauni. Diomedes then prays to Athena for the slaughter of Pandarus. 283, 284; Plin. Diomedes conquered and slew the enemies of his grandfather, and then took up his residence in Aetolia.35 Other writers make him attempt to return to Argos, but on his way home a storm threw him on the coast of Daunia in Italy. According to the Homeric account, he was the grandson of Acrisius, and a son of Lartes and Anticleia, the daughter of Autolycus, and brother of Ctimene. Oeneus then exiled Tydeus and young Diomedes was forever marked by the dishonor of his father. According to Homer, Diomedes enters the war with a fleet of 80 ships, third only to the contributions of Agamemnon (100 ships) and Nestor (90). Mindful of Athena's orders, Diomedes runs after Aphrodite and wounds her arm. [10] However, Pseudo-Apollodorus has Agamemnon send Odysseus and Talthybius instead. So, Diomedes maneuvered his spear above Ajax's shield and attacked his neck, drawing blood. The god Hephaestus made Diomedes' cuirass for him. Although he can face both of these warriors together, he knows that Aphrodite may try to save her son. Diomedes is the king of Argos and one of the generals in the Trojan War. Serv. Greek Epic Fragments, 113. Diomedes was one of the Greeks who had a spot in the famous Trojan Horse along with Odysseus, Menelaus and Neoptolemus. Zeus ordered all other deities to not interfere with the battle. In Book IV Agamemnon taunts Diomedes by calling him a far inferior fighter compared to his father. Dismayed at this, Diomedes said "Seducer, a worthless coward like you can inflict but a light wound; when I wound a man though I but graze his skin it is another matter, for my weapon will lay him low. They function more as spiritual guides and . These words subsequently turned out to be wrong. [14] Another version says that he conspired with Odysseus against Palamedes,[15] and under the pretence of having discovered a hidden treasure, they let him down into a well and there stoned him to death. She also warns him not to engage any other god. 246; Strab. His wife will tear her cheeks for grief and his children will be fatherless: there will he rot, reddening the earth with his blood, and vultures, not women, will gather round him." Greek Epic Fragments, 123. Diomedes ruled Argos for more than five years and brought much wealth and stability to the city during his time. Diomedes wanted to avenge Thersites, but the other leaders persuaded the two mightiest Achaean warriors against fighting each other. Diomedes was wondering when to stop. Diomds, lit. The Story of the Grateful Wolf and Venetic Horses in Strabos, This page was last edited on 12 April 2023, at 14:13. The king was honored to accept the great warrior. Odysseus, unsuccessfully, tried to persuade the Achaean leaders to put Ajax to death, by stoning the Locrian leader (to divert the goddess's anger). Agamemnon and Menelaus rounded up their principal commanders to get ready for battle the next day. Odysseus account of his exploits after Troy differ from the more familiar story in Homer's Odyssey. According to some scholars, the rest of Thracians, deprived of their king, left Troy to return to their kingdom. Hector's brother Helenus described Diomedes' fighting skills in this manner: "He fights with fury and fills men's souls with panic. According to some other sources, Diomedes angrily tossed Penthesileia's body into the river, so neither side could give her decent burial. On their way to the Trojan camp, Diomedes and Odysseus discovered Dolon approaching the Achaean camp. After Troy had been sacked and the Trojan War had ended, Diomedes left Troy with Nestor and Menelaus and reached Argos safely with the help of Athena. Odysseus, some say, went by night to Troy, and leaving Diomedes waiting, disguised himself and entered the city as a beggar. Download Full Size Image. After the death of Paris, Diomedes and Odysseus were sent into the city of Troy to negotiate for peace, 24 but he was afterwards one of the Greeks concealed in the wooden horse. Glaucus told the story of how he was descended from Bellerophon who killed the Chimaera and the Amazons. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. [6], According to Hyginus and Pseudo-Apollodorus, Diomedes became one of the suitors of Helen and, as such, he was bound by the oath of Tyndareus, which established that all the suitors would defend and protect the man who was chosen as Helen's husband against any wrong done against him in regard to his marriage. [citation needed], According to the post Homeric stories, Diomedes was given immortality by Athena, which she had not given to his father. He went to the court of King Daunus, King of the Daunians. In the Achaean council, Diomedes was the first one to speak: "Let there be no taking, neither treasure, nor yet Helen, for even a child may see that the doom of the Trojans is at hand." 993; Dict. Disregarding Athena's advice, Diomedes attacks Apollo three times before Apollo warns him not to match himself against immortals. He was informed by an oracle, that he should be exposed to unceasing sufferings unless he restored the sacred image to the Trojans. ThoughtCo. A great rival of Ajax and Agamemnon, and a close ally of Odysseus, Diomedes is an intriguing . She was, however, no match for Achilles, who killed her. Nestor responded, "Son of Tydeus, though Hector say that you are a coward the Trojans and Dardanians will not believe him, nor yet the wives of the mighty warriors whom you have laid low." [16] Others say that, though Diomedes guessed or knew about the plot, he did not try to defend Palamedes, because Odysseus was essential for the fall of Troy. Athena caused a quarrel between Agamemnon and Menelaus about the voyage from Troy. Telamonian Ajax ("The Greater"), however, is the volunteer who eventually fights Hector. Updates? Diomedes was among the nine Achaean warriors who came forward to fight Hector in a single combat. His father, Tydeus, had participated in the seven against Thebes expedition. Penthesileia led a small army of Amazons to Troy for the last year of the Trojan War. The latter reminded her of mighty Heracles (now, an Olympian himself) who held the record of wounding not one but two Olympians as a human. Heracles (now a god) or Athena then persuaded Philoctetes to join the Achaeans again (with the promise that he will be healed) and he agreed to go with Diomedes. He was Odysseus's brother in arms and aided him in his exploit to retrieve the Palladium from within the walls of Troy. Agamemnon put Diomedes in charge of the mission and asked him to choose a companion himself. Poor Eumelus was thrown down and his elbows, mouth, and nostrils were all torn. In Shakespeare's play of that title, Diomedes is often seen fighting Troilus over her. [17] Diomedes' aristeia represents many of his heroic virtues such as outstanding fighting skills, bravery, divine protection/advice, carefully planned tactics of war, leadership, humility and self-restraint. There is another Diomedes, also connected with Heracles, the one with the man-eating mares whom Heracles dealt with in his eighth labor. Diomedes: Weapons Befitting a Warrior. Apulian red-figure situla, from Ruvo. According to a legend, the goddess Venus seeing the men of Diomedes cry so bitterly transformed them into birds (Diomedee) so that they could stand guard at the grave of their king. This army, however, was still small compared to that of Thebes. Diomedes then climbed the wall of Troy and entered the city. Taking a new driver, Archeptolemus, Hector advanced forward again. Paris answers the Achaeans' act by wounding Diomedes with an arrow, thus sidelining the great warrior for the rest of the epic. "Diomedes: Leader in the Trojan War." Odysseus' words hinted that he actually did not wish to be selected. It was created by a mortal smith but was blessed by Athena, who gave it to Tydeus. Pliny the Elder, The Natural History, III. Diomedes was also involved in some of Odysseus' shenanigans, possibly including the killing of Palamedes, the Greek who had tricked Odysseus into going to war and may have invented the alphabet. Both of them were favorite heroes of Athena and each shared characteristics of their patron goddess Odysseus her wisdom and cunning, and Diomedes her courage and skill in battle; though neither was wholly bereft of either aspect. Diomedes won the sprint.[21]. Diomedes was one of the warriors inside. It is generally accepted that Athena is closest to Diomedes in the epic. Of all the Heros of the Iliad, only Diomedes fights the gods, and he and Meneclause were offered the opportunity to live forever. 31. Odysseus and Diomedes intercept and destroy the enemy's scout; they also win great glory by stealing magnificent horses and armor, while terrifying the enemy with the sight of a bloodily slaughtered ally. This cult was not widespread; cults like those of Herakles and Theseus had a much more prominent function in the Greek world due to the benefits which they granted their followers and the popular mythological traditions of these figures. Apulian red-figure situla, from Ruvo When Hector proposes a single combat duel, Odysseus is one of the Danaans who reluctantly volunteered to battle him. One has Athena turning Diomedes into a god. It has been conjectured that Diomedes is an ancient Pelasgian name of some divinity, who was afterwards confounded with the hero Diomedes, so that the worship of the god was transferred to the hero.42, According to Antonius Liberalis, his son by Euippe, the daughter of Daunus, is also called Diomedes.43, Diomedes, the son of Tydeus, is portrayed on many Greek vases in scenes related to the Iliad, such as a Chalcidian amphora (ca. He also had a round shield with the mark of a boar. Diomedes was alerted to the danger by glimpsing the gleam of the sword in the moonlight. He is also a close friend of Odysseus, and the two have a rough banter which establishes them as equals. In Book XV, Zeus says to Hera that he had already made a plan to make sure that Achilles will eventually enter the battle. The Achaean leaders were scared that another such blow would kill Ajax and they stopped the fight. Glyptothek, Munich. He raised his sword to stab Diomedes in the back. Greek Hero Cults and Ideas of Immortality. 407, iv, 427, v. 81. The war of the Epigoni is remembered as the most important expedition in Greek mythology prior to the Trojan War. In order to secure his grasp on the throne, Diomedes married Aegialeus' daughter, Princess Aegialia.[5]. Tzetz. ii. "Cypria" fragment 27. Diomedes took the Palladium with him when he left Troy. You are still youngyou might be the youngest of my own childrenstill you have spoken wisely and have counselled the chief of the Achaeans not without discretion;'" Achaean council Book IX. Diomedes continued his feats by killing Axylus and Calesius. Having said this, Diomedes cut off the prisoner's head with his sword, without giving him time to plead for his life. He is a frequent companion to Odysseus, who later becomes the brains to his brawn.1 His eagerness for violence and frequent collaboration with Odysseus are his two most outstanding characteristics in the Iliad and Epic Cycle. . The phrase Diomedian swap originated from this incident. He was the only human except for Heracles to be granted strength (with permission) to directly fight with immortals themselves and injures two Olympian immortals (both Ares and Aphrodite) in a single day. After the death of Achilles, it was prophesied that Troy could not be taken if Neoptolemus (Achilles's son) would not come and fight. Athena personally petitions her father, Zeus, to allow Odysseus to return home after ten years at sea. J.B. Knowing that Philoctetes would never agree to come with them, they sailed to the island and stole the bow of Heracles by a trick. In all these versions, killing Rhesus by Diomedes was instrumental for the victory. Diomedes, King of Argos Roman copy of a statue by Kresilas from c. 430 BC. 9, xi. Diomedes received the prize for the victor. Odysseus (wearing the pilos hat) and Diomedes stealing the horses of Thracian king Rhesus they have just killed. At Troezen he had founded a temple of Apollo Epibaterius, and instituted the Pythian games there. During the Achaean council held, Agamemnon asked for a volunteer to spy on the Trojans. Subsequently, Diomedes founded ten or more Italian cities and, after his death, was worshipped as a divine being under various names in both Italy and Greece. The second tradition claims the opposite, that he stayed at Urium until the end of his life. Diomedes' grandfather was Adrastus, king of Argos, whom Diomedes succeeded on the throne. Cypria testimonium 30 [Bernab] = Pausanias 10.31.2. Aphrodite complained to her mother about Diomedes' handiwork. Gill is a Latinist, writer, and teacher of ancient history and Latin. Article created on Saturday, May 24, 1997. According to some, he brought it to Argos where it remained until Ergiaeus, one of his descendants, took it away with the assistance of the Laconian Leagrus, who conveyed it to Sparta.

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