THALPIUS IN GREEK MYTHOLOGY
Thalpius is one of the less well-known heroes recorded in the tales of Greek mythology. Thalpius though does appear in arguably the most famous source from antiquity, Homer’s Iliad.
Thalpius Son of Eurytus
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Thalpius was a son of Eurytus and Theraephone. Eurytus was one of the Molionides, the twin sons of Actor; Cleatus being the other twin; whilst, Theraephone was one of the twin daughters of King Dexamenus of Olenus.
The Molionides had once held back a Heracles led army, when Augeas’ kingdom of Elis was attacked, although Thalpius’ father and uncle had subsequently been killed by Heracles. |
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Thalpius the Suitor of Helen
Apollodorus and Hyginus both name Thalpius as a Suitor of Helen; thus Thalpius was of sufficient standing that he was invited to Sparta, when it was announced that Helen was seeking an eligible husband.
Whilst Thalpius was not the chosen Suitor in the end, his standing came from the fact that he was one of three individuals who ruled Elis at the time.
After the successful attack of Heracles upon Elis, Heracles had placed Phyleus, son of Augeas, upon the throne. After Phyleus governance of Elis was passed to Amphimachus, Thalpius’ cousin by Cleatus, Agasthenes, son of Augeas, and Thalpius himself. Agasthenes was subsequently succeeded to his portion of rule by his son, Polyxeinus.
Whilst Thalpius was not the chosen Suitor in the end, his standing came from the fact that he was one of three individuals who ruled Elis at the time.
After the successful attack of Heracles upon Elis, Heracles had placed Phyleus, son of Augeas, upon the throne. After Phyleus governance of Elis was passed to Amphimachus, Thalpius’ cousin by Cleatus, Agasthenes, son of Augeas, and Thalpius himself. Agasthenes was subsequently succeeded to his portion of rule by his son, Polyxeinus.
Thalpius at Troy
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The nature of shared responsibility of Elis at the time is documented when it comes to the Trojan War, for the duty bound Thalpius comes to Aulis with ships of Eleans. Homer’s Catalogue of Ships records 40 ships under the orders of four Elis commanders Amphimachus, Diores, Polyxeinus and Thalpius.
Thus, at Troy, the Eleans were used to display the wide support offered up to Agamemnon from across Greece, as opposed to other individual heroes associated with many of the most famous elements of the Trojan War. The singular element of Thalpius during the fighting at Troy comes from Quintus of Smyrna, who names the Elean as one of those Achaean heroes who hid within the Wooden Horse, as it was wheeled into the city of Troy. During the night, Thalpius and the other hidden heroes, exited the Horse, killed the drunken guards, opened the city gates and signalled the return of the main Achaean army. The Sacking of Troy then occurred. It has to be presumed that having hidden in the Wooden Horse, Thalpius survived the Trojan War, unlike Amphimachus and Diores, but nothing more is said of Thalpius. Indeed, it is Polyxeinus who returns to Elis, and succeeds as the sole ruler of the city state. |
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Colin Quartermain - Thalpius - 24th May 2026