EPEIUS IN GREEK MYTHOLOGY
Epeius was a legendary figure of Greek mythology, famous for his actions during the Trojan War, and it was Epeius who built the Trojan Horse.
Epeius Son of Panopeus
Epeius was named as a son of Panopeus, by a woman unnamed. Panopeus was a renowned hero from the generation preceding the events of the Trojan War.
As well as being a companion of Amphitryon, Panopeus was sometimes named amongst the Hunters of the Calydonian Boar.
As well as being a companion of Amphitryon, Panopeus was sometimes named amongst the Hunters of the Calydonian Boar.
Epeius the Coward
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Panopeus broke his own vow when he took part in a war with Amphitryon, against King Pterelaus and the Taphians. Panopeus had sworn, either to Ares or Athena, that he would not partake of the spoils of war, but he did just yet.
Some tell of the gods then cursing Panopeus’ son, Epeius to be both a coward and a weakling. These attributes were not something that appeared in the texts of Homer, nor his contemporaries; and cowardice was something said of Epeius by writers in late antiquity. |
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It is a strange concept to think of Epeius being a coward and weakling though, for he was a renowned boxer, and went with the Achaeans to fight at Troy.
Epeius at Troy
Epeius whilst appearing in the Iliad, is not named in the Catalogue of Ships; Homer’s list of heroes and their ships who gathered at Aulis. Epeius though, does appear in a different list of gathered ships, one attributed to the mythical Dictys of Crete in his Journal of the Trojan War.
In this secondary list of gathered ships Epeius was named as coming from the Cyclades with 30 ships of men.
As to why Epeius was at Troy, is not exactly clear. Epeius was not named amongst the Suitors of Helen, and so was not bound by the Oath of Tyndareus, nor was Epeius a King or a hero of great renowned, who would be expected to be at Troy other wise.
Nevertheless Epeius was spoken of as being present during the Trojan War.
Initially, the most prominent act of Epeius was in winning the boxing contest during the funeral games of Patroclus. Epeius defeated Euryalus through pure brute strength. In the funeral games of Achilles, Epeius also took part in the boxing event, this time drawing with Acamas, son of Theseus, has both fought each other to a stand still.
In this secondary list of gathered ships Epeius was named as coming from the Cyclades with 30 ships of men.
As to why Epeius was at Troy, is not exactly clear. Epeius was not named amongst the Suitors of Helen, and so was not bound by the Oath of Tyndareus, nor was Epeius a King or a hero of great renowned, who would be expected to be at Troy other wise.
Nevertheless Epeius was spoken of as being present during the Trojan War.
Initially, the most prominent act of Epeius was in winning the boxing contest during the funeral games of Patroclus. Epeius defeated Euryalus through pure brute strength. In the funeral games of Achilles, Epeius also took part in the boxing event, this time drawing with Acamas, son of Theseus, has both fought each other to a stand still.
Epeius and the Trojan Horse
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Epeius though comes to prominence towards the end of the Trojan War, for the son of Panopeus, was commissioned to build a Wooden Horse, based on an idea given to Odysseus by Athena.
The Wooden Horse would look like a sacrificial gift to the gods, but in reality would be a ruse by which the Achaean could enter the city of Troy. Epeius would be guided by Athena in the design, and aided in the construction by Ajax the Lesser. Wood was cut from Mount Ida, and in three days the hollow horse was constructed. To make it look fit for a sacrifice hooves of bronze were fitted, whilst gold was used to accentuate the mane, and precious stones were used for the eyes. Inside though, there was space for 30 armoured Achaean heroes., but the trap door fitted so perfectly that it was indistinguishable from the rest of the horse. Epeius was said to have chosen 29 other heroes to enter the horse with him, and then the rest of the Achaean army withdrew, making it look like the horse was left as a sacrifice to the gods for a safe journey home. The Trojans fell for the ruse and wheeled the horse inside their city, demolishing part of the gate to do so. As night fell, and the Trojans got drunk, Epeius undid the catch that held the trapdoor in place, and the Achaeans descended from the belly of the Wooden Horse, and so the Sacking of Troy began. Little though is said of Epeius thereafter. |
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Epeius a Founding Hero
Epeius was a founding figure in Greek mythology, and some tell of him founding the town of Metapontum in Magna Graecia (southern Italy). Here, was a temple dedicated to Athena, where the tools used by Epeius to construct the Trojan Horse, were said to be housed.
Further north, some also tell of Epeius also founding the city of Pisa.
Further north, some also tell of Epeius also founding the city of Pisa.
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Colin Quartermain - Epeius - 31st May 2026