Diomedes is the key fighter in the first third of the epic. Diomedes was also involved in some of Odysseus' shenanigans, possibly including the killing of Palamedes, the Greek who had tricked Odysseus into going to war and may have invented the alphabet.He was among the Achaean men tucked inside the belly of the great wooden horse the Greeks presented to the Trojans, ostensibly as a gift to the goddess. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. Some scholars claim that this part of the epic was originally a separate, independent poem (describing the feats of Diomedes) that Homer adapted and included in the Iliad. After the death of Paris, Diomedes and Odysseus were sent into the city of Troy to negotiate for peace, 24 but he was afterwards one of the Greeks concealed in the wooden horse. This throw was dead accurate but the helmet given by Apollo saved Hector's life. Robert Parker, On Greek Religion (Ithaca: Cornell University Press, 2011): 245. Nestor responded, "Son of Tydeus, though Hector say that you are a coward the Trojans and Dardanians will not believe him, nor yet the wives of the mighty warriors whom you have laid low." They began to combine their efforts and actions already when being in Aulis. . He was also one of the suitors of Helen, who eventually married Menelaus, the king of Sparta. Cypria testimonium 30 [Bernab] = Pausanias 10.31.2. Some say that Diomedes was robbed of the palladium by Demophon in Attica, where he landed one night on his return from Troy, without knowing where he was. He still kept an eye on Calydonian politics (his father's homeland), and when the sons of Agrius (led by Thersites) put Oeneus (Diomedes grandfather) in jail and their own father on the throne, Diomedes decided to restore Oeneus to the throne. Diomedes replied, "Goddess, I know you truly and will not hide anything from you. Others say his companions were turned into birds afterwards. The embassy failed because Achilles himself had more faith in his own choices than fate or divine interventions. The brave man makes an end of every foe." He says that even if Achilles somehow manages to leave Troy, he will never be able to stay away from battle because human efforts and choice cannot defy fate; "let him go or staythe gods will make sure that he will fight." Odysseus (wearing the pilos hat) and Diomedes stealing the horses of Thracian king Rhesus they have just killed. Zeus ordered all other deities to not interfere with the battle. Agamemnon said, "Someone, it may be, old or young, can offer us better counsel which I shall rejoice to hear." ", In order to attain immortality, a scholiast for Nemean X says Diomedes married Hermione, the only daughter of Menelaus and Helen, and lives with the Dioscuri as an immortal god while also enjoying honours in Metapontum and Thurii.[51]. Is his version of the story original? Diomedes and Nestor held a discussion about the situation and decided to leave immediately. When Agamemnon tried to appease Achilles's wrath so that he would fight again, by offering him many gifts, Nestor appointed three envoys to meet Achilles (Book IX). "Little Iliad" argument 24. His character also helps to establish one of the main themes of the epic: how human choices and efforts become insignificant when fate and immortals are in control. Tzetz. The latter reminded her of mighty Heracles (now, an Olympian himself) who held the record of wounding not one but two Olympians as a human. Or, as the Latin writers call him, Ulysses, Ulyxes or Ulixes, one of the principal Greek heroes in the Trojan war. He is throw into peril and there often seems to be no hope for his return home. He states that when he found Diomedes, he was laying the foundations of his new city, Argyrippa. The Heneti sacrificed a white horse to Diomedes in special groves where wild animals grew tame.[49]. When he died, it passed to Diomedes. "Cypria" fragment 27. Diomedes pointed out that this behavior was inappropriate for a leader like Agamemnon. I shall then know whether brave Diomed will drive me back from the ships to the wall, or whether I shall myself slay him and carry off his bloodstained spoils. Diomedes alone accepted the proposal, and thus recovered Argos.34, According to another set of traditions, Diomedes did not go to Aetolia till after his return from Troy, when he was expelled from Argos, and it is said that he went first to Corinth; but being informed there of the distress of Oeneus, he hastened to Aetolia to assist him. These words subsequently turned out to be wrong. H. N. iii. While her influence is indirect during the hero's travels, she plays a vital role in the events that take place in Ithaca. Profile of Ajax: Greek Hero of the Trojan War, Profile of the Greek Hero Achilles of the Trojan War, Non-Canonical Retelling of the Tale of Troy, An Explanation of the Term "Trojan Horse", The 10 Greatest Heroes of Greek Mythology, Aphrodite, the Greek Goddess of Love and Beauty, M.A., Linguistics, University of Minnesota. [39], Virgil's Aeneid describes the beauty and prosperity of Diomedes' kingdom. Diomedes Character Analysis in The Song of Achilles | LitCharts Once in Troy, Odysseus murdered Palamedes (the commander who outwitted Odysseus in Ithaca, proving him to be feigning insanity and thus forcing him to stand by his oath and join the alliance), drowning him while he was fishing. However, he still displays self-restraint and humility to retreat before Ares and give way to Apollo thus remaining within mortal limits. So we all know Odysseus and Diomedes as the murderous dynamic duo from the Illiad. Identifying the god of war, Diomedes protected the Achaeans by ordering them to withdraw towards their ships. [41] Ovid, on the other hand, writes that Venulus came to the home of exiled Diomedes in vain, but he was erecting walls with the favour of Iapygian Daunus, his new father-in-law, which would make the city Luceria, not Argyrippa.[42]. He also said that his purpose in Italy is to live in peace. When two men are together, one of them may see some opportunity which the other has not caught sight of; if a man is alone he is less full of resource, and his wit is weaker." His father, Tydeus, had participated in the seven against Thebes expedition. The two kings lay among the corpses till Dolon passed them and ran after him. They resolved to not fight each other and Diomedes proposed exchanging their armours. Apulian red-figure situla, from Ruvo When Hector proposes a single combat duel, Odysseus is one of the Danaans who reluctantly volunteered to battle him. According to another version of the story, it had been foretold by an oracle that if the stallions of Rhesus were ever to drink from the river Scamander, which cuts across the Trojan plain, then the city of Troy would never fall. Odysseus and Diomedes Notably, Dante's Odysseus does not return to Ithaca, deciding to travel beyond the known world instead. In Aulis, where the Achaean leaders gathered, Diomedes met his brother in arms Odysseus, with whom he shared several adventures. [30] Agamemnon started shedding tears and proposed to abandon the war for good because Zeus was supporting the Trojans. In Book IX, Agamemnon proposes going back to Hellas because Zeus has turned against them. Odysseus, some say, went by night to Troy, and leaving Diomedes waiting, disguised himself and entered the city as a beggar. Diomedes then hurls a spear that hits Hector's helmet. Smyrnaeus says that the wrestling match between him and Ajax the Great came to a draw. Red-figure pottery, c. 360 BCE. The Achaeans were devastated at this. So, after the Trojan War, Diomedes sailed to Libya where he was imprisoned by King Lycus. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. He was the only Achaean warrior apart from Achilles who carried such an arsenal of gear made by Hera's son. Respecting Apollo, Diomedes then withdraws himself from that combat. Diomedes and Odysseus were charged with achieving this prophecy also. Greek Hero Cults and Ideas of Immortality. There are various accounts of how Diomedes died. Beholding this, Diomedes and Odysseus continued to fight with a lot of valor, giving hope to the Achaeans. Athena caused a quarrel between Agamemnon and Menelaus about the voyage from Troy. All the suitors made a pact to defend the one who. [33], The Palamedes affair haunted several Achaean Leaders including Diomedes. Diomedes was one of the Greeks who had a spot in the famous Trojan Horse along with Odysseus, Menelaus and Neoptolemus. Struck by his spear, Hector's driver Eniopeus was slain. [25] Because Odysseus was essential for the destruction of Troy, Diomedes refrained from punishing him. The two nations 'Monadi' and the 'Dardi' were vanquished by Diomedes along with the two cities of 'Apina' and 'Trica'. His famous exploits include the wounding of Aphrodite, the slaughter of Rhesus and his Thracians, and seizure of the Trojan Palladium, the sacred image of the goddess Pallas Athena that protected Troy. Strabo reflects on the peculiarities of this island, including the history tied to Diomedes' excursions and the regions and peoples among which he had the most influence. p. 6; comp. Diomedes immediately threw his spear at Hector, aiming for his head. Dropping her son, the goddess flees towards Olympus. https://www.thoughtco.com/diomedes-116696 (accessed May 1, 2023). Telamonian Ajax ("The Greater"), however, is the volunteer who eventually fights Hector. Others say that Diomedes and Odysseus were on their way back from Troy at night after stealing the Palladium, and Odysseus, who was behind Diomedes, intended to kill him; but in the moonlight Diomedes saw the shadow of his sword, turned round, overpowered Odysseus, tied him up, and forced him to go ahead by beating his back with his sword. Athena personally petitions her father, Zeus, to allow Odysseus to return home after ten years at sea. Only the Trojans had watchfires; they, therefore, were awake and kept each other to their duty as sentinels; but the allies who have come from other places were asleep and left it to the Trojans to keep guard. Diomedes - World History Encyclopedia Diomedes then threw his spear (which was guided by Athena) at Ares, wounding his stomach. The Iliad Books 11 & 12 Summary & Analysis | SparkNotes Ilioneus begged "Oh compassionate my suppliant hands! Cypria says that Polyxena died after being wounded by Odysseus and Diomedes in the capture of the city.[32]. He turned round, seized the sword of Odysseus, tied his hands, and drove him along in front, beating his back with the flat of his sword. She not only gave the whip back to the son of Tydeus but also put fresh strength to his horses and went after Eumelus to break his yoke. Daunus, the king of the country, received him kindly, and solicited his assistance in a war against the Messapians. Diomedes wanted to avenge Thersites, but the other leaders persuaded the two mightiest Achaean warriors against fighting each other. According to a legend, the goddess Venus seeing the men of Diomedes cry so bitterly transformed them into birds (Diomedee) so that they could stand guard at the grave of their king. 246; Strab. Fate and gods were with Achaeans at the start and therefore Zeus interventions could only be temporary. In Shakespeare's play of that title, Diomedes is often seen fighting Troilus over her. Of all the Heros of the Iliad, only Diomedes fights the gods, and he and Meneclause were offered the opportunity to live forever. First, he participated in the chariot race where he had to take the last place in the starting-line (chosen by casting lots). "Diomedes: Leader in the Trojan War." According to some interpretations, Diomedes is represented in the epic as the most valiant soldier of the war, who avoids committing hubris. Diomedes: A Hero of the Trojan War - MythologySource She helped Aegialia to obtain not one, but many lovers. Diomedes also encourages Agamemnon to take the lead of next day's battle. [19] In this way Diomedes asserts his status as the foremost Achaean hero after Achilles. According to Quintus Smyrnaeus, Odysseus and Diomedes came to Scyros to bring him to the war at Troy. Diomedes is said to have sailed away without the least acknowledgment of the girl's kindly deed, whereupon she killed herself, out of grief, with a halter. Diomedes then slays a number of Trojan warriors including Phegeus (whose brother was spirited away by Hera's son, Hephaestus before being slain by Diomedes) until Pandarus wounds him with an arrow. Idomeneus words portray ambush, "the place where the merit of men most shines through, where the coward and the resolute man are revealed", as type of warfare only for the bravest.[18]. Diomedes then makes a prediction (based on Homeric tradition) that eventually becomes true. She has been featured by NPR and National Geographic for her ancient history expertise. This incident is the best example for Diomedes remarkable bravery. The Odyssey: Mini Essays | SparkNotes Where did Dante learn about Odysseus? Diomedes: Iliad's Hidden Hero - Ancient Literature In order to secure his grasp on the throne, Diomedes married Aegialeus' daughter, Princess Aegialia.[5]. He was Odysseus's brother in arms and aided him in his exploit to retrieve the Palladium from within the walls of Troy. Meanwhile, in a similar council held by Hector, not a single prince or king would volunteer to spy on Achaeans. Diomedes was, on his father's side, an Aetolian, and on his mother's an Argive. [47], One Legend says that on his death, the albatrosses got together and sang a song (their normal call). 15; comp. After Achilles' death, the Achaeans piled him a mound and held magnificent games in his honor. Agamemnon then stayed on to appease the anger of Athena. Diomedes answered, "Hector will talk among the Trojans and say, 'The son of Tydeus fled before me to the ships.' Diomedes said, "Let Achilles stay or leave if he wishes to, but he will fight when the time comes. Or else, if he ever entered Argos, he had to take sanctuary at the altar of Hera, and thence flee with his companions by night. He was assassinated on the way (in Arcadia) by Thersites and Onchestus. While he remains victorious in the end, returning to his wife, son, and father, the poem itself is filled with many darker moments filled with doubt and sadness. In Fellini's movie 8, a cardinal tells this story to actor Marcello Mastroianni. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. The phrase Diomedian swap originated from this incident. Agamemnon proposed drawing the ships on the beach into the water but Odysseus rebuked him and pointed out the folly of such council. Schol. by Marie-Lan Nguyen (Jastrow) published on 22 September 2022. Diomedes faces this situation by displaying both his might and wisdom. So, Diomedes maneuvered his spear above Ajax's shield and attacked his neck, drawing blood. For one, he claims that at the city of Urium, Diomedes was making a canal to the sea when he was summoned home to Argos. [48], There were two islands named after the hero, Islands of Diomedes, believed to be in the Palagrua archipelago on the Adriatic. The Iliad Book 9 Summary & Analysis | LitCharts Idaeus of the Trojans came for a peace negotiation, and he offered to give back all the treasures Paris stole plus moreeverything except Helen. He took his land which he assigned to the Dorians, his followers. Diomedes realized that his grandfather Oeneus hosted Bellerophon, and so Diomedes and Glaucus must also be friends. [24] Diomedes is generally regarded as the person who physically removed the Palladium and carried it away to the ships. pp. Serv. 993; Dict. Translated by Horace Leonard Jones. The first two traditions listed by Strabo give no indication of divinity except later through a hero cult, and the other two declare strongly for Diomedes' immortality as more than a mere cult hero. Zeus saw that both Hector and Archeptolemus were about to be slain by Diomedes and decided to intervene. The Achaean leaders were scared that another such blow would kill Ajax and they stopped the fight. Instances of Diomedes' maturity and intelligence as described in parts of the epic: Diomedes' aristeia ("excellence"the great deeds of a hero) begins in Book V and continues in Book VI. Aphrodite complained to her mother about Diomedes' handiwork. In the account of Dares the Phrygian, Diomedes was illustrated as ". Greek Epic Fragments, 113. West (Loeb Classical Library, 2003), 105. 1. He may have encountered Aeneas again in Italy. He was the only human except for Heracles to be granted strength (with permission) to directly fight with immortals themselves and injures two Olympian immortals (both Ares and Aphrodite) in a single day.