ANTENOR IN GREEK MYTHOLOGY
Antenor was a figure from Greek mythology who appeared in the stories told about the Trojan War. Antenor was a Trojan ally, but of advanced age by the time of the war, Antenor did not fight, but instead offered counsel to King Priam.
Antenor of the House of Dardanus
It is commonly said that Antenor was of Dardanian royal blood, a son of Aesyetes and Cleomestra, and a man who could trace his lineage up to King Dardanus; thus Antenor would be a distant relative of King Priam.
Children of Antenor
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Nothing is recorded about the life of Antenor prior to the Trojan War, but it is stated that Antenor was wed to Theano, the priestess of Athena’s temple in Troy.
Antenor would thus become father to many children by Theano, for his sons were Acamas, Agenor, Archelochus, Coon, Demoleon, Eurymachus, Glaucus, Helicaon, Iphidamas, Laodamas, Laodocus, and Polybus, and there was also a single daughter, Crino. |
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Antenor was also said to be father of another son, Pedaeus, by a woman unnamed, although Theano would raise Pedaeus as if he were her own.
Antenor the Advisor
In Greek mythology, Antenor’s role was primarily one of advisor, for he was named as one of the Elders of Troy, and councillor of King Priam.
Thus, Antenor was in Troy when Paris returned from his journey to Sparta, where he had taken both Helen, the wife of Menelaus, and the king’s treasure. Antenor saw immediately the folly of Paris’ actions, but neither Paris nor King Priam would make the situation right.
Antenor is one of the earliest advocates of returning Helen, and the stolen Spartan treasure, to Menelaus; and indeed when Menelaus and Odysseus came to the city to request the return of the items stolen, it was in the house of Antenor that they stayed.
The words of Menelaus and Odysseus, even with the backing of Antenor, could not sway the Trojan council, and Antenor was in the end forced to intercede when it was suggested that the two Achaeans should be killed, going against all thoughts of what were correct in ancient diplomacy.
Antenor did manage to ensure that Menelaus and Odysseus were allowed to leave Troy unmolested.
As the Trojan War continued, so Antenor persisted in his assertions that Helen and the Spartan treasure should be returned. As well as the wise words of Antenor, two sons of Antenor, Archelochus and Acamas, would lead Dardanian troops, under the overall leadership of Aeneas, during the war, and the other sons of Antenor would also fight.
Thus, Antenor was in Troy when Paris returned from his journey to Sparta, where he had taken both Helen, the wife of Menelaus, and the king’s treasure. Antenor saw immediately the folly of Paris’ actions, but neither Paris nor King Priam would make the situation right.
Antenor is one of the earliest advocates of returning Helen, and the stolen Spartan treasure, to Menelaus; and indeed when Menelaus and Odysseus came to the city to request the return of the items stolen, it was in the house of Antenor that they stayed.
The words of Menelaus and Odysseus, even with the backing of Antenor, could not sway the Trojan council, and Antenor was in the end forced to intercede when it was suggested that the two Achaeans should be killed, going against all thoughts of what were correct in ancient diplomacy.
Antenor did manage to ensure that Menelaus and Odysseus were allowed to leave Troy unmolested.
As the Trojan War continued, so Antenor persisted in his assertions that Helen and the Spartan treasure should be returned. As well as the wise words of Antenor, two sons of Antenor, Archelochus and Acamas, would lead Dardanian troops, under the overall leadership of Aeneas, during the war, and the other sons of Antenor would also fight.
The Losses of Antenor
During the Trojan War Antenor suffered great personal loss for many of his sons were killed during the war; Acamas, was killed by Meriones or Philoctetes; Agenor and Polybus, were killed by Neoptolemus; Archelous and Laodamas, were killed by Ajax the Great; Coon and Iphidamas, were killed by Agamemnon; Demoleon, was killed by Achilles; and Pedaeus, was killed by Meges.
Thus, only Eurymachus, Glaucus, Helicaon, Laodocus and Crino, survived to the end of the Trojan War.
Thus, only Eurymachus, Glaucus, Helicaon, Laodocus and Crino, survived to the end of the Trojan War.
Antenor and the Sacking of TroyThe Trojan War of course came to an end when the Wooden Horse was wheeled inside, allowing for the Achaean heroes hidden within to Sack Troy.
The house of Antenor though was spared during the sacking, for above its door hung a leopard skin, and the Achaeans were told that due to his previous attempts to restore Helen, Antenor and his family were to be free from harm. During the Sack of Troy though, both Glaucus and Helicaon, sons of Antenor were lucky to survive, for it was the intervention of Odysseus, who prevented both being killed by the Achaeans. Some later writers would claim that Antenor, and his family, were not saved for his previous hospitality or wise words, but because he was a traitor, even claiming that he was bribed to open the gates of Troy. These tales are in the minority though, for it was normally said that it was heroes from within the Wooden Horse, who opened the gates of Troy, and held them open, to allow the other Achaeans to gain access to the city. |
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Antenor After the Fall of Troy
In the aftermath of the Sacking of Troy, Antenor, and his sons, were amongst the few surviving men within the city; for Aeneas and his men had now departed from the citadel. Antenor took it upon himself to bury as many as he could; this even included Polyxena, who was sacrificed by the Achaeans.
Troy, after the departure of the Achaeans, was uninhabitable, and so Antenor would be forced to leave.
Antenor and his family would join up with the Eneti, who were now leaderless, after Pylaemenes was killed by Menelaus. Antenor would thus lead the Eneti to Italy, where the new city of Patavium (Padua) was established.
Troy, after the departure of the Achaeans, was uninhabitable, and so Antenor would be forced to leave.
Antenor and his family would join up with the Eneti, who were now leaderless, after Pylaemenes was killed by Menelaus. Antenor would thus lead the Eneti to Italy, where the new city of Patavium (Padua) was established.
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