MEGESIN GREEK MYTHOLOGY
Meges was a named hero of the Achaean forces during the Trojan War, famous for fighting alongside Teucer during the defence of the Achaean ships.
Meges Son of Pyleus
Meges was the son of Phyleus, the famous son of King Augeas of Elis; Peleus having sided with Heracles against his own father, during the Fifth Labour of Heracles. Meges was called Meges Phyleïdês by Homer, in recognition of his father.
The mother of Meges is variously given as Ctesimache, Ctimene, Eustyoche or Hagnete.
The mother of Meges is variously given as Ctesimache, Ctimene, Eustyoche or Hagnete.
Meges of Dulchium
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Meges would be associated with the land of Dulchium, for this was the land that was settled by Phyleus and a band of Epeans when Phyleus was exiled from Elis. It is assumed today that Dulchium was one of the Echinadian islands off of the Acarnanian coast, all though, which if any of the islands Dulchium is not clear.
The rule of Elis had passed through Agasthenes, a son of Augeas, rather than Meges’ father, Peleus, and so, according to Homer, others led the Epeans at Troy. Some tell of Meges being a Suitor of Helen, and so would have been duty bound to go to Troy, and in Homer’s Catalogue of Ships, Meges is credited with 40 ships fill of “Men of Dulichium” |
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Meges During the Trojan War
For much of the Trojan War, Meges is but a peripheral figure, he though comes to a form, at a time when the war was going badly for the Achaeans. Achilles had withdrawn from the battlefield after he had argued with Agamemnon. Meges fought alongside Diomedes, but the Achaeans were quickly pushed back to their own ships.
The ships could not be lost, and so defences were arranged by Ajax, Idomeneus, Teucer, Meriones and Meges, and the new defensive line held firm.
During the fighting at Troy, Meges was credited with killing a number of named Trojans, including Agelaus, Amphiclus, Croesmus, Eurymenes, Itymoneus and Pedaeus.
The ships could not be lost, and so defences were arranged by Ajax, Idomeneus, Teucer, Meriones and Meges, and the new defensive line held firm.
During the fighting at Troy, Meges was credited with killing a number of named Trojans, including Agelaus, Amphiclus, Croesmus, Eurymenes, Itymoneus and Pedaeus.
The End of Meges
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There are some who tell of Meges being killed during the Trojan War, but in most cases Meges is named as one of those who hid within the Wooden Horse, an event that occurred at the end of the Trojan War.
This led to the Sacking of Troy, and Meges was credited with killing Deiopities, son of King Priam at this time. |
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Meges was perhaps wounded during the Sacking of Troy. Admetes son of Augeas inflicting the wound before he was killed Philoctetes. The presumption is that Meges recovered from his wound, and departed Troy following the division of spoils. Although, in most cases the last mention of Meges is during the final fall of Troy.
One surviving tale tells of the death of Meges at Euboea. At Euboea it was said that Nauplius lured the ships of several Achaean heroes onto the rocks, as an act of vengeance for the death of his son, Palamades.
One surviving tale tells of the death of Meges at Euboea. At Euboea it was said that Nauplius lured the ships of several Achaean heroes onto the rocks, as an act of vengeance for the death of his son, Palamades.
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Colin Quartermain - Meges - 1st March 2026