PISIDICE OF METHYMNA IN GREEK MYTHOLOGY
The story of Pisidice of Methymna is a tale of tragedy and betrayal; a tale relating to the Trojan War, although Pisidice is not a character that appears in Homer’s Iliad.
Pisidice of Methymna
In fact, the tale of Pisidice of Methymna appears in a single surviving source Erotica Pathemata (Of the Sorrows of Love) as written by Parthenius of Nicaea.
The setting is the island of Lesbos, the island which Emily L. Shields, called the Garden of Priam. Lesbos was allied to Troy during the Trojan War, and not wishing an enemy to their backs, a force of Achaeans comprising Achilles, his Myrmidons, and other Achaeans attacked the islands.
The setting is the island of Lesbos, the island which Emily L. Shields, called the Garden of Priam. Lesbos was allied to Troy during the Trojan War, and not wishing an enemy to their backs, a force of Achaeans comprising Achilles, his Myrmidons, and other Achaeans attacked the islands.
The Parentage of Pisidice
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The parentage of Pisidice is not specifically named, and she is simply referred to as the king’s daughter, or Princess of Methymna. Methymna was named for the daughter of Macaerus, who Homer regarded as the King of Lesbos, but in the same tale that Pisidice appears, Parthenius talks of Achilles killing Hicetaon and Hypsipylus, sons of Methymna. So perhaps Pisidice was a daughter of Methymna, with her father being either Lesbos or Lepetymnos.
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pISIDICE AND aCHILLES
City after city fell to Achilles, and spoils were taken from each, but the fortress of Methymna could not be taken. Pisidice though fell in love with Achilles, and sending word via her nurse, Pisidice offered to give over the city, if Achilles would agree to marry her.
Achilles agreed, and so Pisidice opened the gates to the city, and so Methymna fell to the Achaeans.
In the Iliad, seven maidens of Lesbos are talked of by Agamemnon, when the Achaean leader talks of giving gifts to Achilles to entice him to return to the fight. Pisidice though, was not one of these maidens, nor was she the new wife of Achilles, for as soon as Methymna had fallen to the Myrmidons and other Achaeans, Achilles ordered that Pisidice be stoned to death for her traitorous act.
The story of Pisidice is thus reminiscent of that of Scylla and Comaetho.
Achilles agreed, and so Pisidice opened the gates to the city, and so Methymna fell to the Achaeans.
In the Iliad, seven maidens of Lesbos are talked of by Agamemnon, when the Achaean leader talks of giving gifts to Achilles to entice him to return to the fight. Pisidice though, was not one of these maidens, nor was she the new wife of Achilles, for as soon as Methymna had fallen to the Myrmidons and other Achaeans, Achilles ordered that Pisidice be stoned to death for her traitorous act.
The story of Pisidice is thus reminiscent of that of Scylla and Comaetho.
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Colin Quartermain - Pisdice of Methymna - 21st August 2021