EURYPYLUS IN GREEK MYTHOLOGY
Eurypylus was one of the prominent defenders of Troy during the Trojan War; coming from Mysia to aid King Priam.
Eurypylus Son of TelephusEurypylus was the son of Telephus, King of Mysia, making Eurypylus a grandson of the Greek hero Heracles.
In surviving sources, three different women are given as potential mothers of Eurypylus. One possibility is Argiope, daughter of Teuthras, Astyoche, sister of King Priam, or Laodice, daughter of King Priam. |
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Telephus and the Achaeans
Eurypylus’ father, Telephus, makes an early appearance in tales of the Trojan War, for the Achaean’s mistakenly land in Mysia, mistaking it for the land of King Priam. A battle ensued in which Achilles injured Telephus, although the Achaeans were effectively defeated. When his wound would not heal, Telephus sought out Achilles, and Achilles healed his wound.
In gratitude Telephus advised the Achaeans that neither he, nor his family, would become involved in the fight between the Achaeans and Troy.
Yet, later, we find Eurypylus heavily involved in the defence of Troy, along with an army of Mysians.
In gratitude Telephus advised the Achaeans that neither he, nor his family, would become involved in the fight between the Achaeans and Troy.
Yet, later, we find Eurypylus heavily involved in the defence of Troy, along with an army of Mysians.
Trojan Intrigue
As the Trojan War dragged on, King Priam sent word to Mysia, asking for assistance. Eurypylus had succeeded as King of Mysia, and he agreed to Priam’s request. What though led him to break the word of his father?
Of course, if Eurypylus’ mother was Laodice or Astyoche, then Eurypylus had strong family links to King Priam, but it was also commonly said that Eurypylus’ mother was bribed. Potentially, Priam sent to Mysia the Golden Vine, that had been gifted to his ancestor, Tros, by Zeus, after Zeus had abducted Ganymede.
Alternatively, King Priam simply offered his daughter, potentially Cassandra, as a wife for Eurypylus.
Of course, if Eurypylus’ mother was Laodice or Astyoche, then Eurypylus had strong family links to King Priam, but it was also commonly said that Eurypylus’ mother was bribed. Potentially, Priam sent to Mysia the Golden Vine, that had been gifted to his ancestor, Tros, by Zeus, after Zeus had abducted Ganymede.
Alternatively, King Priam simply offered his daughter, potentially Cassandra, as a wife for Eurypylus.
Eurypylus at Troy
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Eurypylus led a strong Mysinian army to Troy; and although it does nothing to enhance the fighting capabilities of Eurypylus, he, along with Memnon, was described as the most beautiful of all the Trojan defenders.
Upon his arrival, Priam showers many gifts upon Eurypylus, including a magnificent golden staff. Following the death of Hector, Eurypylus became the main focus of the Trojan defence; although many of the sources written in antiquity are now lost to us. Adorned with a shield depicting the heroic acts of his grandfather, Heracles, Eurypylus entered the battlefield like a black hurricane. With Aeneas and Paris at his side, Eurypylus led an attack on the Achaean force, and many Greeks were killed. Named Achaean heroes killed by Eurypylus included Machaon, son of Asclepius, Antiphus. Bucolion, Chromion, Echemmon, Menoetius, Nesus and Penelaus. At one point Agamemnon, Menelaus, and Ajax the Lesser were surrounded, and might have fallen to Eurypylus, had Teucer and others not returned to rescue them. Eurypylus pushed on to attack the ships of the Achaeans, and the boats were only saved by the intervention of Athena. The emissaries of Agamemnon went to Eurypylus and asked for a two day truce, so that the dead could be buried, and declining to press home his advantage, Eurypylus agreed. |
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The Death of Eurypylus
Prior to the two day truce, the Achaeans had sent word for Neoptolemus, Achilles’ son, to join them; and the young hero did just that. Adorned in the armour of his father, the Achaeans were given new hope.
Neoptolemus, Diomedes and Odysseus started to push the Trojans back from the ships, and eventually Neoptolemus and Eurypylus came face to face.
An epic fight ensued, and even the gods looked on, watching as the two great fighters clashed. Eventually, Neoptolemus gained the upper hand, and finally thrust the spear of Achilles through the throat of Eurypylus; the spear that had once injured the father, had now killed the son.
The death of Eurypylus would see the remaining Trojan soldiers flee to safety of the walls of Troy. The tale of Eurypylus heroic efforts on the beach though, stand at odds to other accounts which see the likes of Penelaus and Machaon being inside the Wooden Horse; the ruse that eventually ended the Trojan War.
The Greeks would give honour to the fallen Eurypylus; either burying the fallen warrior in front of the famed Dardanian Gate, or else returning his cremated remains to Mysia.
Some tell of a son of Eurypylus succeeding his father as King of Mysia, this son being Grynus, who established the towns of Gryneion and Pergamon.
Neoptolemus, Diomedes and Odysseus started to push the Trojans back from the ships, and eventually Neoptolemus and Eurypylus came face to face.
An epic fight ensued, and even the gods looked on, watching as the two great fighters clashed. Eventually, Neoptolemus gained the upper hand, and finally thrust the spear of Achilles through the throat of Eurypylus; the spear that had once injured the father, had now killed the son.
The death of Eurypylus would see the remaining Trojan soldiers flee to safety of the walls of Troy. The tale of Eurypylus heroic efforts on the beach though, stand at odds to other accounts which see the likes of Penelaus and Machaon being inside the Wooden Horse; the ruse that eventually ended the Trojan War.
The Greeks would give honour to the fallen Eurypylus; either burying the fallen warrior in front of the famed Dardanian Gate, or else returning his cremated remains to Mysia.
Some tell of a son of Eurypylus succeeding his father as King of Mysia, this son being Grynus, who established the towns of Gryneion and Pergamon.
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Colin Quartermain - Eurypylus - 12th September 2025