AGAPENOR IN GREEK MYTHOLOGY
Agapenor was a legendary King of Arcadia and hero of Greek mythology. Agapenor was famous a being one of the combatants at Troy.
Agapenor King of ArcadiaAgapenor was the son of Ancaeus, the Greek hero killed by the Calydonain Boar, and Ancaeus’ wife Iotis.
Agapenor would become King of Arcadia after the death of Echemus; Echemus had succeeded Lycurgus, Agapenor’s grandfather, as Lycurgus had outlived his own four sons. As King of Arcadia, Agapenor would have been a suitable husband for Helen, “daughter” of Tyndareus, and as such was invited to Sparta to be considered. Menelaus was of course chosen to be Helen’s husband, but as a Suitor of Helen, and having taken the Oath of Tyndareus, Agapenor was duty bound to protect Menelaus. Thus, when Helen was abducted by Paris, Agapenor travelled to Aulis, with his contingent of Arcadians, and would travel to Troy onboard 60 ships presented to him by Agamemnon. Whether Agapenor had himself married in the meantime is not clear, although writers in antiquity did name descendants of Agapenor, including Laodice. It was also known that Agapenor had received Arsinoe, wife of Alcmaeon, as a concubine, when Arsinoe’s brother had given her to Agapenor. |
|
Agapenor at Troy
In surviving sources Agapenor is but a minor figure during the early years of the Trojan War. Agapenor though is mentioned as taking part in the funeral games of Achilles, where he won the leaping event. For this victory, Thetis, mother of Achilles, presented the Achaean with the armour of Cycnus.
Agapenor is also named by some as being hidden inside the Wooden Horse, when it was dragged inside the city of Troy by the celebrating Trojans. The Trojans were convinced that the Achaeans had left, but as they celebrated those hidden inside the Horse, Agapenor included, descended from its trap door and the Sacking of Troy began.
Agapenor is also named by some as being hidden inside the Wooden Horse, when it was dragged inside the city of Troy by the celebrating Trojans. The Trojans were convinced that the Achaeans had left, but as they celebrated those hidden inside the Horse, Agapenor included, descended from its trap door and the Sacking of Troy began.
Agapenor After the Trojan War
|
After the defeat of the Trojans, Agapenor took his share of the spoils of war, and with the surviving Arcadians boarded the ships ready to sail home. Most of the Achaean leaders though did not have an easy journey home, and Agapenor was no different.
A strong storm saw Agapenor and his small fleet carried to Cyprus. Landing, Agapenor is said to have established the city of Paphos, and there in, built the sanctuary dedicated to Aphrodite at Palaepaphos, the place where some say the goddess was born. Agapenor settled in his new city, and never sought to return to Arcadia. |
|
As Agapenor did not return to Arcadia after the Trojan War, Agapenor would be succeeded as king by Hippothous. Hippothous was a descendent of Arcas, the man after whom Arcadia was named, and had once been a companion of Agapenor’s father, Ancaeus, during the Calydonian Boar Hunt.
|
|
Colin Quartermain - Agapenor - 27th September 2025