Some of the other Trojan warriors slain by Diomedes during that night were Coroebus who came to Troy to win the hand of Cassandra,[31] Eurydamas and Eurycoon. Diomedes: Iliad's Hidden Hero - Ancient Literature Strabo, Geography 6.3.9. Odysseus and Diomedes intercept and destroy the enemy's scout; they also win great glory by stealing magnificent horses and armor, while terrifying the enemy with the sight of a bloodily slaughtered ally. Athena favored two warriors heavily during all of the battles: Odysseus and Diomedes. In any case, Tydeus was exiled, and he found refuge at Argos, where the king, Adrastus, offered him hospitality, even giving him his daughter, Deipyle, to be his wife. Hector, seeing that they had turned back from battle, called Diomedes a "woman and a coward" and promised to slay him personally. West (Loeb Classical Library, 2003), 105. Greek Epic Fragments: From the Seventh to the Fifth Centuries BC, translated by M.L. Some refer to Diomedes as "Son of Tydeus", "Great Spearman," "Master of the war cry, Diomedes", and "Powerful Diomedes." He was a renowned leader, even though he was the youngest king of Argos. Dolon proved to be the better runner but Athena infused fresh strength into the son of Tydeus for she feared some other Achaean might earn the glory of being first to hit Dolon. According to Dolon, Hector and the other councilors were holding conference by the monument of great Ilus, away from the general tumult. (Book IX) Agamemnon accepts this counsel and the next day's battle starts with his ", ael Kos, Marjeta. When he decided to sacrifice his daughter to Artemis, Odysseus carried out this order of Agamemnon by luring Iphigenia from Mycenae to Aulis, where murder, disguised as wedding, awaited her. Like Dido when Aeneas sailed away, Callirrhoe then committed suicide. These words inspired many other heroes to step forward. [9] According to Hyginus, Diomedes went with Odysseus to fetch Iphigenia, making this the two companions' first mission together. He is a frequent companion to Odysseus, who later becomes the brains to his brawn.1 His eagerness for violence and frequent collaboration with Odysseus are his two most outstanding characteristics in the Iliad and Epic Cycle. In a different story (attributed to Pindar), Rhesus fights so well against the Achaeans that Hera sends Odysseus and Diomedes to kill him secretly at night. Robert Parker, On Greek Religion (Ithaca: Cornell University Press, 2011): 245. He also had a round shield with the mark of a boar. Diomedes won the first prize "a woman skilled in all useful arts, and a three-legged cauldron". Diomedes and Odysseus . Heracles (now a god) or Athena then persuaded Philoctetes to join the Achaeans again (with the promise that he will be healed) and he agreed to go with Diomedes. He was also one of the suitors of Helen, who eventually married Menelaus, the king of Sparta. Throughout the Iliad, Diomedes and Nestor are frequently seen speaking first in war-counsel. He was married to Penelope, the daughter of Icarius, by whom he . Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/diomedes-116696. In all these versions, killing Rhesus by Diomedes was instrumental for the victory. In Homer's 'The Iliad,' Odysseus stands out, but not because he is a main character. So we all know Odysseus and Diomedes as the murderous dynamic duo from the Illiad. Diomedes then prays to Athena for the slaughter of Pandarus. They took their vast armies and left Troy. Seeing that Nestor's life was in danger, the son of Tydeus shouted for Odysseus' help. With their king dead, the Thebans, believing this to be the end for them, sought counsel from the seer Tiresias, who urged them to flee the city. Diomedes was the commander of 80 Argive ships and one of the most respected leaders in the Trojan War. An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works Sthenelus was the driver of Diomedes chariot and probably his closest friend. J.B. After the war Diomedes returned home to find that his wife had been unfaithful (Aphrodites punishment) and that his claim to the throne of Argos was disputed. Diomedes is one of the few Achaean commanders to return home safely, arriving in Argos only four days after his departure from Troy. Diomedes, the legendary king of Argos and founder of many southern Italian cities, was the hero of two of the most famous wars of Greek lore. [6], According to Hyginus and Pseudo-Apollodorus, Diomedes became one of the suitors of Helen and, as such, he was bound by the oath of Tyndareus, which established that all the suitors would defend and protect the man who was chosen as Helen's husband against any wrong done against him in regard to his marriage. This proposal was approved by both Agamemnon and Odysseus. Antilochus told his horses that there is no point trying to overtake Diomedes for Athena wishes his victory. This incident is the best example for Diomedes remarkable bravery.