PROTESILAUS IN GREEK MYTHOLOGY
Protesilaus is a hero from the tales of Greek mythology; a Greek hero that sailed to Troy, Protesilaus is famous for the manner of his death.
Protesilaus King of Phylace
Protesilaus was named as King of Phylace (Thessaly) by Homer, the son of the Argonaut Iphiclus (and Diomedia), and the grandson of Phylacos, the founder of Phylace. Protesilaus had one brother, Podarces, who would also come to the fore during the Trojan War.
Some suggest that the name Protesilaus was given to the Greek hero after his death, and that Protesilaus was originally named Iolaus.
Some suggest that the name Protesilaus was given to the Greek hero after his death, and that Protesilaus was originally named Iolaus.
Protesilaus Suitor of Helen
Protesilaus comes to prominence in the lead up to the Trojan War, for Protesilaus was named as one of the Suitors of Helen.
The main sources that list the Suitors of Helen all name Protesilaus amongst the number vying for the hand in marriage of the daughter of Zeus and Leda, and although Menelaus was subsequently chosen as Helen’s husband, Protesilaus had by then already taken the Oath of Tyndareus, making him duty bound to protect the husband of Helen.
Subsequently, Protesilaus would marry Laodamia, the daughter of King Acastus and Astydamia.
The main sources that list the Suitors of Helen all name Protesilaus amongst the number vying for the hand in marriage of the daughter of Zeus and Leda, and although Menelaus was subsequently chosen as Helen’s husband, Protesilaus had by then already taken the Oath of Tyndareus, making him duty bound to protect the husband of Helen.
Subsequently, Protesilaus would marry Laodamia, the daughter of King Acastus and Astydamia.
Protesilaus the first to land
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When Helen was taken by Paris to Troy, the Oath of Tyndareus saw Protesilaus gather together 40 black ships of men at Aulis; the men being gathered from Phylace, Pyrasus, Iton, Antrium and Pteleum. The ships of Protesilaus would be part of the 1000 ship armada to arrive at Troy.
A prophecy had been made though, in which it was said that the first of the Greeks to land at Troy would be the first to die; this prophecy was said to have been delivered by Thetis, Calchas or an Oracle. Protesilaus would ignore the prophecy, possibly thinking he could circumvent it. Initially Protesilaus did well, killing a number of Trojan defenders, but then Protesilaus was struck down by Hector. The name Protesilaus comes from the Greek for “first”, hence the possibility that the hero might have previously been known as Iolaus. After the landing of Protesilaus the other named heroes of the Achaean forces followed, establishing a solid beach-head. Funeral games were held for Protesilaus, and during this time it was said that Cycnus led an unsuccessful counterattack against the Achaean camp. Afterwards Protesilaus’ brother Podarces would lead the force of Phylacians. |
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Protesilaus and Laodamia
News of the death of Protesilaus would eventually reach Phylace, and grief would overcome Protesilaus’ wife Laodamia. The gods would take pity on the queen, and bade Hermes to deliver Protesilaus from the Underworld for a period of three hours.
Husband and wife would be joined for but a short time, before Protesilaus “died” again, but the hero would be accompanied back to the Underworld this time with his wife.
Later myths expand on the death of Laodamia, and it was famously said that Laodamia had a life like wax sculpture of Protesilaus crafted, which she would embrace each night. When Laodamia’s father found out about her statue, he had it burnt, but Laodamia followed the statue into the fire, killing herself, and thus was reunited with Protesilaus. This though ignores the fact that Acastus would have been dead by the time of Protesilaus’ death.
Husband and wife would be joined for but a short time, before Protesilaus “died” again, but the hero would be accompanied back to the Underworld this time with his wife.
Later myths expand on the death of Laodamia, and it was famously said that Laodamia had a life like wax sculpture of Protesilaus crafted, which she would embrace each night. When Laodamia’s father found out about her statue, he had it burnt, but Laodamia followed the statue into the fire, killing herself, and thus was reunited with Protesilaus. This though ignores the fact that Acastus would have been dead by the time of Protesilaus’ death.
The Tomb of Protesilaus
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After his death a shrine to Protesilaus was erected in Phylace, but the Tomb of Protesilaus was said not to be in Thessaly though, for Protesilaus was said to have been buried in Elaeus, a Greek city located at the southern point of the Hellespont, opposite the city of Troy.
For many centuries after the events of the Trojan War, pilgrims, including Alexander the Great would visit the tomb. |
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A legend arose in regards to the Tomb of Protesilaus and it was said that elm-trees were planted on the tomb by some wood nymphs. The elm trees would grow tall and strong, but when the tips of these trees were tall enough to see Troy, they would wither and die, due to the grief of the entombed Protesilaus, before the elms were replaced with new trees.
Protesilaus the Founding Hero
Many of the returning heroes from Troy would gain fame in the Roman period as founding figures for many cities in antiquity, and despite famously dying at the onset of the Trojan War, it was also claimed that Protesilaus did likewise.
One later Roman writer, Conon, would tell of Protesilaus surviving the Trojan War, and subsequently headed home with his war prizes, including numerous Trojan women, one of whom was Aethylla, a sister of King Priam.
Stopping off for water on the Pallene headland, the Trojan women burnt the ships of Protesilaus, meaning that the Greek hero could not travel onwards, and so Protesilaus founded the city of Scione.
One later Roman writer, Conon, would tell of Protesilaus surviving the Trojan War, and subsequently headed home with his war prizes, including numerous Trojan women, one of whom was Aethylla, a sister of King Priam.
Stopping off for water on the Pallene headland, the Trojan women burnt the ships of Protesilaus, meaning that the Greek hero could not travel onwards, and so Protesilaus founded the city of Scione.
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