GLAUCUS OF LYCIA IN GREEK MYTHOLOGY

Glaucus is a common named in Greek mythology, but Glaucus of Lycia appears in tales of the Trojan War, where Glaucus is one of the named Trojan defenders. 

Glaucus Son of Hippolochus

​Glaucus was the son of Hippolochus, and thus grandson of the Greek hero, Bellerophon. 

Glaucus tells of Hippolochus commanding him to go to Troy, to excel and to honour his ancestors. 

​Glaucus Comes to Troy

Glaucus is most famous for his role in the defence of Troy, where he was second-in-command of the Lycian defenders, with Sarpedon, son of Zeus, being the commander. 

In the Iliad, Glaucus is named in the Trojan Battle Order, “And Sarpedon and peerless Glaucus were captains of the Lycians from afar out of Lycia, from the eddying Xanthus.”

The Trojan Battle Order is by no means comprehensive, nor is it directly relative to much of what is told in the Iliad, but appearing last in the list, is indicative, that Glaucus and the Lycians were the allies who travelled furthest to help King Priam. Indeed, the land of Sarpedon and Glaucus is in south-west Turkey, as opposed to Troy, in the north-west. 

Apollodorus is quoted as writing that the arrival of Glaucus and Sarpedon occurred nine years after hostilities commenced. 

​Glaucus and Diomedes

During one battle the Achaean hero Diomedes met Glaucus face-to-face. Glaucus proclaimed he would face anyone in the Achaean force, for he had the blood of Bellerophon in his veins. When Diomedes heard this, the Achaean hero, put down his weapons and stated how the pair should not fight, for their grandfathers, Oeneus and Bellerophon had been friends, and that friendship was now hereditary. 

Glaucus agreed, and then Athena, who favoured Diomedes, caused Glaucus to agree to the rash exchange of armour. This trade was rash, for Diomedes armour of bronze was worth nine head of cattle, whilst Glaucus’ golden armour was worth 100. 

​Glaucus Fights

Homer names just one Achaean killed by Glaucus, that being Iphinous, being hit by Glaucus’ spear in the shoulder, and then falling from his chariot. Glaucus though was prominent when the Trojans attacked the Greek defensive wall.

​Fighting alongside Sarpedon, the bravery and skill of the Lycians allowed Hector to break through. 

As Glaucus himself reached the break of the wall though, the Lycian was hit by an arrow fired by Teucer. As Glaucus withdrew from the front line, so Sarpedon faced Patroclus, who was wearing Achilles armour. 

Patroclus would kill Sarpedon in the ensuing fight, and as Sarpedon died, so he called upon Glaucus to retrieve his body. 

There were two issues though, Sarpedon’s body was now at the centre of an Achaean melee, whilst Glaucus was injured. Glaucus though, called on the god Apollo to help, and so Apollo healed Glaucus’ wound, and thus, Glaucus entered the battle again.

​The gods then carried away Sarpedon’s body, although his armour was lost to the Achaean force. 

​The Death of Glaucus

A similar fight would occur later over the body of the Achaean hero Achilles. Glaucus was present here as well, but this would prove to be the Lycians’ final fight, for he was killed by Ajax the Great.

The body of Glaucus would be retrieved by Aeneas. A funeral pyre for Glaucus was built in front of Troy’s Dardanian Gate, but before the fire could touch Glaucus’ body, Apollo took the body away, taking it back to Lycian where it was laid to rest beneath a granite rock. 

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Colin Quartermain - Thestius - 28th August 2021