THE ARGONAUT POLYPHEMUS IN GREEK MYTHOLOGY
The name of Polyphemus is one closely associated with Greek mythology, and although the name is one linked to the Cyclops encountered by Odysseus, it was also the given name to a Greek hero, for Polyphemus was also an Argonaut in Greek mythology.
Polyphemus the Lapith
Polyphemus was a Lapith, the son of Elatus, a Lapith king, and Hippea. It is commonly said that Polyphemus had two siblings, Caeneus, the warrior who had been born a woman and was then transformed by Poseidon, and Ischys, the lover of Coronis.
Polyphemus the Argonaut
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Polyphemus though is most famous for his role as an Argonaut, and then for taking part in the Centauromachy.
Polyphemus was said to have resided at Larissa, but when the call came out for heroes to journey to Colchis, Polyphemus presented himself to Jason at Iolcus, and was accepted as a crew member of the Argo. The Argo would stop in Mysia to replenish their food and water, and it was whilst there than another Argonaut, Hylas, was abducted by water nymphs. The abduction would have gone unnoticed for a long while had Polyphemus not heard Hylas cry out, and fearing that his comrade had been attacked by bandits, Polyphemus went searching for Hylas, with Heracles joining Polyphemus in the search when he discovered is friend was missing. |
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Polyphemus and Heracles Left Behind
The search for Hylas would prove a fruitless one, and whilst Polyphemus and Heracles searched, Jason and the Argo sailed on to Colchis, leaving the pair in Mysia.
Eventually, Heracles would give up the search, but Polyphemus was tasked to remain and search on, something the Greek hero did until his dying days.
In Mysia, Polyphemus would found the city of Cius, a city which he would rule. Now some tell of Polyphemus dying of old age in Cius, whilst others tell of him dying in battle against a Black Sea tribe known as the Chalybes; Polyphemus having left his own kingdom to seek out the other Argonauts.
Even after his death, the subjects of Polyphemus would continue to search for Hylas, less a displeased Heracles returned.
Eventually, Heracles would give up the search, but Polyphemus was tasked to remain and search on, something the Greek hero did until his dying days.
In Mysia, Polyphemus would found the city of Cius, a city which he would rule. Now some tell of Polyphemus dying of old age in Cius, whilst others tell of him dying in battle against a Black Sea tribe known as the Chalybes; Polyphemus having left his own kingdom to seek out the other Argonauts.
Even after his death, the subjects of Polyphemus would continue to search for Hylas, less a displeased Heracles returned.
Polyphemus and the Centauromachy
Some tell of Polyphemus being present at the wedding of Pirithous, when the attempted abduction of the bride Hippodamia resulted in a pitched battle between the Lapiths and the Centaurs. It was perhaps in this context that Nestor, in the Iliad, described Polyphemus as “godlike” because of his strength.
The bond between Polyphemus and Heracles perhaps went further than simply comradeship, for some tell of Polyphemus being married to Laonome, the half-sister of Heracles (although Laonome is also often said to be wife of Euphemus, another Argonaut).
The bond between Polyphemus and Heracles perhaps went further than simply comradeship, for some tell of Polyphemus being married to Laonome, the half-sister of Heracles (although Laonome is also often said to be wife of Euphemus, another Argonaut).
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