TELAMON IN GREEK MYTHOLOGY
Telamon was a noted hero from Greek mythology. Telamon was a contemporary of Heracles, and thus lived in the generation preceding the Trojan War.
Telamon Prince of Aegina
Normally, Telamon is called a prince of Aegina, as Telamon was a son of King Aeacus by Endeis, making Telamon brother to Peleus. Therefore, Telamon also had a half-brother called Phocus, the son of Aeacus by Psamathe.
Occasionally it was said that Telamon was not a brother of Peleus but a friend, with Telamon in this case called the son of Actaeus and Glauce, and thus grandson of the king of Salamis, Cychreus.
Occasionally it was said that Telamon was not a brother of Peleus but a friend, with Telamon in this case called the son of Actaeus and Glauce, and thus grandson of the king of Salamis, Cychreus.
Telamon and the Death of PhocusBased on the fact that Telamon was the son of Aeacus, the prince comes to prominence when his half-brother Phocus died. Endeis was jealous of the attention given by Aeacus to her stepson, and Peleus and Telamon were said to have been jealous of the athletic attributes of their younger brother.
It was said the mother and sons plotted together and with a thrown discus, Phocus was killed, and it was traditionally said that Telamon, rather than Peleus, was the thrower. Telamon would later claim that the death of Phocus was an accident, but his father Aeacus did not believe Telamon and Peleus, and bother were exiled thereafter from Aegina. |
Telamon Exiled
|
Telamon Friend of Heracles
Peleus went to Phthia where he was absolved of his crimes by King Eurytion, whilst Telamon went to the island of Salamis, where he was welcomed by King Cychreus.
Both Peleus and Telamon would become great friends of Heracles, and would accompany him on many of his adventures.
Telamon was said to have present when Heracles, as part of his Labours, visited the Amazons, to gain the Girdle of Hippolyte, and when that visit turned into a pitched battle, Telamon was there defending against the attack of the warrior women.
Both Peleus and Telamon would become great friends of Heracles, and would accompany him on many of his adventures.
Telamon was said to have present when Heracles, as part of his Labours, visited the Amazons, to gain the Girdle of Hippolyte, and when that visit turned into a pitched battle, Telamon was there defending against the attack of the warrior women.
Telamon at Troy
|
On the return journey, Heracles stopped off at Troy, and rescued Hesione from the sea monster, but when Laomedon failed to deliver on his promise of payment, Heracles vowed to return.
When Heracles did return at the head of a small army, Telamon was once again present alongside Heracles, and was part of the force that laid siege to Troy. Most of the walls had been built by Poseidon and so proved to be impenetrable, but one small section had been built by Telamon’s father, Aeacus, and it was this section that fell to the besiegers. Telamon made a mistake at this point, for some claim that Telamon was the first to breach the walls of Troy, stealing the glory of Heracles; and Heracles was always quick to anger. Recognising his error though, Telamon quickly began to construct an altar dedicated to Heracles, and so rather than kill Telamon, Heracles decided to reward him. Thus, Hesione, the daughter of King Laomedon was given to Telamon as his new wife. Telamon was also said to have been present when Heracles went to war with the Meropes on Cos, and when Heracles fought the giant Alcyoneus. |
|
Telamon the Argonaut
Telamon would famously reunite with Heracles, when Telamon, Peleus and Heracles all became Argonauts as Jason quested for the Golden Fleece.
During the voyage to and from Colchis, Telamon was noted as being one of the greatest critics of the leadership of Jason; after all his friend Heracles has first been voted leader of the expedition. The anger of Telamon towards Jason was particularly evident when Heracles was left behind upon the coast of Mysia after the kidnapping of Hylas, for Telamon blamed Jason for the abandonment of his friend.
Later in the voyage there was some reconciliation between Jason and Telamon, especially after the sea god Glaucus told Telamon that Jason was not blame for the leaving behind of Heracles, for it had been the will of the gods.
During the voyage to and from Colchis, Telamon was noted as being one of the greatest critics of the leadership of Jason; after all his friend Heracles has first been voted leader of the expedition. The anger of Telamon towards Jason was particularly evident when Heracles was left behind upon the coast of Mysia after the kidnapping of Hylas, for Telamon blamed Jason for the abandonment of his friend.
Later in the voyage there was some reconciliation between Jason and Telamon, especially after the sea god Glaucus told Telamon that Jason was not blame for the leaving behind of Heracles, for it had been the will of the gods.
Telamon and the Calydonian Boar
Telamon would make it safely back to Iolcus with the Argo, and would subsequently compete in the funeral games for Pelias. Telamon was also said to have been present amongst the hunters of the Claydonian Boar, although his role was not prominent for this was an adventure when Meleager and Atalanta were at the fore.
The Family of Telamon
|
On Salamis, Telamon was said to have wed Glauce, the daughter of King Cychreus, setting up Telamon as the heir to the kingdom.
Later, Telamon would marry Periboea, the daughter of Alcathous, and Periboea famously bore Telamon a son named Ajax. Some tell of how Heracles was banqueting with Telamon when the demi-god prayed for a brave son for his friend, and as an eagle flew past at that moment that was taken as omen that Zeus was sympathetic to the prayer. |
|
This would make Hesione the third wife of Telamon, and Hesione would also give birth to a son of Telamon, Teucer.
Ajax and Teucer were famous figures during the Trojan War as both were Achaean leaders and powerful heroes. Ajax was often referred to as Telamonian Ajax to distinguish him from Locrian Ajax (Ajax the Lesser).
A third son of Telamon is also sometimes referred to in ancient texts, and this was Trambelus. Some name Trambelus’ mother as Hesione, although others call her Theaneira.
In the latter case, Theaneira, whilst pregnant with Telamon’s son fled to Miletus (or Lesbos). During the Trojan War, Achilles was said to have ravaged Miletus, amongst the city’s defenders was Trambelus, who died valiantly at the hands of Achilles; finding out the name of the heroic defender, Achilles then realised that he had killed his own cousin.
Ajax and Teucer were famous figures during the Trojan War as both were Achaean leaders and powerful heroes. Ajax was often referred to as Telamonian Ajax to distinguish him from Locrian Ajax (Ajax the Lesser).
A third son of Telamon is also sometimes referred to in ancient texts, and this was Trambelus. Some name Trambelus’ mother as Hesione, although others call her Theaneira.
In the latter case, Theaneira, whilst pregnant with Telamon’s son fled to Miletus (or Lesbos). During the Trojan War, Achilles was said to have ravaged Miletus, amongst the city’s defenders was Trambelus, who died valiantly at the hands of Achilles; finding out the name of the heroic defender, Achilles then realised that he had killed his own cousin.
Telamon and the Trojan War
Telamon was king of Salamis during the Trojan War, but he was considered too old to fight, and so Ajax took 12 ships of Salamineans to Troy.
Ajax would commit suicide during the Trojan War, and although Teucer survived the war, Telamon would not allow him to set foot again on Salamis, for Teucer had not returned the body of his brother home.
Nothing more of Telamon is said thereafter.
Ajax would commit suicide during the Trojan War, and although Teucer survived the war, Telamon would not allow him to set foot again on Salamis, for Teucer had not returned the body of his brother home.
Nothing more of Telamon is said thereafter.
|
|