TLEPOLEMUS IN GREEK MYTHOLOGY
In Greek mythology Tlepolemus was a King of Rhodes, and also one of the Achaean heroes who fought at Troy, during the Trojan War.
TLEPOLEMUS SON OF HERACLES
Tlepolemus was a Heraclid, for he was the son of the great Greek hero Heracles, probably born to Astyoche, daughter of King Phylas of Ephyra; though, some call the mother of Tlepolemus Astydameia.
Tlepolemus Flees from Argos
Little is said of Tlepolemus, although it is commonly agreed that he grew up in a palace in Argos, but trouble would come to Tlepolemus whilst a young man.
Tlepolemus would be responsible for the death of his elderly uncle Licymnius, a son of Electryon. Now some say that Tlepolemus deliberately killed Licymnius, whilst others say that an infirm and blind Licymnius accidentally walked between Tlepolemus and a servant as Tlepolemus was beating his servant.
No matter whether the death of Licymnius was deliberate or not, other Heraclids would blame Tlepolemus for his death, and so the son of Heracles was forced to leave Argos.
Tlepolemus would be responsible for the death of his elderly uncle Licymnius, a son of Electryon. Now some say that Tlepolemus deliberately killed Licymnius, whilst others say that an infirm and blind Licymnius accidentally walked between Tlepolemus and a servant as Tlepolemus was beating his servant.
No matter whether the death of Licymnius was deliberate or not, other Heraclids would blame Tlepolemus for his death, and so the son of Heracles was forced to leave Argos.
TLEPOLEMUS King of Rhodes
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Tlepolemus did not leave Argos alone though, for with him was his wife, Polyxo, a woman of Argos, and their unnamed son.
Additionally, many Argives also left with Tlepolemus and a small armada would now sail through the Aegean Sea. Perhaps under the instruction of Apollo, Tlepolemus would lead his fleet to Rhodes, and was welcomed there by the local inhabitants. Tlepolemus would be proclaimed King of Rhodes, and Tlepolemus would found three city states, Lindos, Ialysus and Cameirus. Rhodes, under the leadership of Tlepolemus would flourish, and it was said that the island and its inhabitants were blessed by Zeus because of Tlepolemus. Tlepolemus as a Suitor of HelenHyginus would name Tlepolemus as one of the Suitors of Helen, but Hyginus doesn’t tell us whether he was King of Rhodes by then or whether he was a potential suitor because he was a son of Heracles and a renowned wielder of the spear.
As a Suitor of Helen Tlepolemus was pitted against the finest heroes and kings of Ancient Greece, and to avoid bloodshed, each suitor would take the Oath of Tyndareus to protect the chosen husband of Helen. |
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Ultimately, Tlepolemus was not successful in winning the hand in marriage of Helen, for Menelaus was chosen.
Tlepolemus at Troy
If it is given that Tlepolemus was a Suitor of Helen, then he would be bound by the Oath of Tyndareus to protect Menelaus; and so, when the call to arms arrived, Tlepolemus brought nine ships of Rhodians to Aulis. Homer names these Rhodians as having been assembled from Lindos, Ialysus and Cameirus.
Tlepolemus’ time at Troy was but brief, for although the Trojan War would last for ten years, it was said that Tlepolemus would die on the first day of fighting; although Protesilaus was famously the first Achaean to die.
Tlepolemus would encounter Sarpedon, the Trojan defender who was a son of Zeus, and believing himself superior to Sarpedon, Tlepolemus forced the fight between the two men. Calling Sarpedon a coward, Tlepolemus attack, but although he initially gained the upper hand, inflicting a wound upon Sarpedon, the Trojan fought back and thus Tlepolemus died by the weapon of Sarpedon.
Tlepolemus’ time at Troy was but brief, for although the Trojan War would last for ten years, it was said that Tlepolemus would die on the first day of fighting; although Protesilaus was famously the first Achaean to die.
Tlepolemus would encounter Sarpedon, the Trojan defender who was a son of Zeus, and believing himself superior to Sarpedon, Tlepolemus forced the fight between the two men. Calling Sarpedon a coward, Tlepolemus attack, but although he initially gained the upper hand, inflicting a wound upon Sarpedon, the Trojan fought back and thus Tlepolemus died by the weapon of Sarpedon.
A Consequence of the Death of Tlepolemus
The death of Tlepolemus left the widow Polyxo as Queen of Rhodes, and many years after the death of her husband and the end of the Trojan War, Helen came to her kingdom. Helen had been driven out of Sparta by her husband Menelaus’ sons, and Helen believed that Rhodes would be a safe place to stay, for Helen believed Polyxo to be a friend.
The widow of Tlepolemus though blamed Helen for the death of her husband, and so Polyxo had her own servants kill Helen as she took a bath.
The widow of Tlepolemus though blamed Helen for the death of her husband, and so Polyxo had her own servants kill Helen as she took a bath.
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Colin Quartermain - Tlepolemus - 20th May 2018