Olympians
AphroditeApolloAresArtemisAthenaHadesHephaestusHeraHermesHestiaPoseidonZeusAll Olympians
Titans
AsteriaAstraeusAtlasClymeneCriusCronusDioneEosEpimetheusEurybiaEurynomeHyperionAll Titans
Greek Gods
AeolusAetherAmphitriteAnemoiApateAsclepiusAuraBiaChaosCirceDeimosDemeterAll Greek Gods
Myths
CreaturesElementsFiguresGigantesGreek MythsHeroesMonstersMortalsMoviesNorsePlacesPlanetsAll Myths
Plays
AeschylusAristophanesEuripidesSophoclesAll Plays
Ancient Sources
ApollodorusHomerHesiodAeschylusSophoclesEuripidesAristophanesApolloniusOvidPausaniasPindarAll Ancient Sources
Olympians
Olympians
AphroditeApolloAresArtemisAthenaHadesHephaestusHeraHermesHestiaPoseidonZeusAll Olympians
Titans
Titans
AsteriaAstraeusAtlasClymeneCriusCronusDioneEosEpimetheusEurybiaEurynomeHyperionAll Titans
Greek Gods
Greek Gods
AeolusAetherAmphitriteAnemoiApateAsclepiusAuraBiaChaosCirceDeimosDemeterAll Greek Gods
Myths
Myths
CreaturesElementsFiguresGigantesGreek MythsHeroesMonstersMortalsMoviesNorsePlacesPlanetsAll Myths
Plays
Plays
AeschylusAristophanesEuripidesSophoclesAll Plays
Ancient Sources
Ancient Sources
ApollodorusHomerHesiodAeschylusSophoclesEuripidesAristophanesApolloniusOvidPausaniasPindarAll Ancient Sources

Figures in the ancient sources

Aeacus in the ancient sources

Ancient Sources / Figures / Aeacus

59 passages from 14 ancient authors that tell of Aeacus, in the original with English translation, author by author in the order the Greeks read them. Aeacus was the king of the island of Aegina in Greek mythology. He was the son of Zeus and Aegina, daughter of the river god Asopus. Aegina was brough... For the story in one place, read our article on Aeacus.

Hesiod (1)

  1. Hesiod, Fragments 1.50–60Aeacus, Peleus and ThetisThese fragments follow the family of Oeneus and Hippostratus, and then Aeacus and the Myrmidons. Peleus and Acastus appear, Peleus comes to Phthia with great possessions, and Thetis is said to have avoided wedlock with Zeus.

Homer (8)

  1. Homer, Iliad 16.101–197Ajax hard pressed; Patroclus armsAjax is struggling against volleys of Trojan missiles, and Hector hacks the head off his spear. The Trojans hurl fire on a ship, and Achilles, seeing the flames, tells Patroclus to arm quickly while he marshals the Myrmidons. Patroclus puts on Achilles' armour but leaves the great spear of Peleus, which only Achilles can wield, and Automedon yokes the horses Xanthus and Balius.
  2. Homer, Iliad 21.136–232Achilles and Asteropaeus; the river risesThe river-god is angered at the bodies that choke his stream and tells Achilles to stop, but Achilles will not. He kills Asteropaeus, a grandson of the river, after a fight in which Asteropaeus casts both spears at once, and drives the Paeonians before him. The river rises against him, and Achilles is swept off his feet and cries out to Zeus.
  3. Homer, Iliad 2.786–877The Trojan CatalogueIris, in the likeness of Polites, warns Priam's people that the Achaeans are advancing, and Hector breaks up the assembly and arms the Trojans. The poet lists the Trojan forces under Hector, Aeneas and Pandarus, and then the allies from Thrace, Paphlagonia, Phrygia, Maeonia, Caria and Lycia, the last led by Sarpedon and Glaucus.
  4. Homer, Iliad 9.179–306The Embassy to Achilles: Odysseus' appealThe envoys find Achilles playing the lyre in his hut while Patroclus sits listening in silence. Achilles welcomes them and has a meal prepared, and then Odysseus, after drinking to him, describes how Hector threatens the ships and begs him to save the Achaeans. He recalls Peleus' advice that Achilles curb his proud heart, and repeats Agamemnon's list of gifts.
  5. Homer, Iliad 16.784–867The death of PatroclusPatroclus charges three times and kills nine men each time, but on the fourth Apollo strikes him from behind so that his helmet rolls under the horses' feet and his spear is broken. Euphorbus wounds him, and Hector drives a spear into his belly; as he dies, Patroclus tells him that Fate and Apollo have killed him, Euphorbus only the third, and that Hector's own death is near. Hector then goes after Automedon, but the immortal horses of Achilles carry him away.
  6. Homer, Iliad 17.459–542Automedon and the horses of AchillesAutomedon drives among the Trojans and the Achaeans but cannot drive and fight at once, until Alcimedon takes the reins while he fights from the ground. Hector and Aeneas come to seize the horses, but Automedon calls to the two Ajaxes and Menelaus, and the two Trojans fall back. Automedon kills Aretus and strips him.
  7. Homer, Iliad 18.148–238Achilles shouts from the ditchThe Trojans press round the body of Patroclus, and Hector three times seizes the feet and three times the two Ajaxes drive him off. Hera sends Iris to Achilles to tell him to show himself at the ditch, and Athena casts her aegis round his shoulders and a golden cloud round his head so that a flame blazes from it. Achilles shouts three times from the ditch, the Trojans are thrown into confusion, and twelve of their best men perish among their own chariots and spears.
  8. Homer, Odyssey 11.465–567Achilles and AjaxThe ghosts of Achilles, Patroclus, Antilochus and Ajax come up. Achilles says that he would rather be the hired servant of a poor man on earth than king of all the dead, and asks for news of his son Neoptolemus and his father Peleus. Odysseus tells him how Neoptolemus fought at Troy, and Achilles departs rejoicing. The ghost of Ajax, still angry about the arms of Achilles, will not speak.

Apollodorus (1)

  1. Apollodorus, The Library (Bibliotheca), with the Epitome 3.12.1–7Dardanus, Priam and the royal house of TroyElectra's son Dardanus founds the line of the Trojan kings through Erichthonius and Tros, to Ganymede, Anchises and Ilus. Ilus founds Ilium on the spot where the cow lies down and receives the Palladium, and Laomedon and Priam follow him, with Tithonus and Memnon among Laomedon's line. The section lists Priam's children, including Hecuba's dream before Paris's birth, Cassandra's gift, and Paris and Oenone, and ends with the sons of Aeacus, Peleus and Telamon, the murder of Phocus and the birth of Ajax and Teucer.

Pindar (9)

  1. Pindar, Olympian Odes 8.1–88Olympian 8: for Alcimedon — Aeacus and the walls of TroyPindar hails Olympia and praises Alcimedon of Aegina, boys' wrestling victor, and the justice of Aegina. He tells how Aeacus helped Poseidon and Apollo to build the wall of Troy: three serpents leapt at it and the one that entered it foretold the fall of Troy at the hands of Aeacus' descendants. The ode ends with Alcimedon's family, his father Iphion and his dead kinsmen.
  2. Pindar, Nemean Odes 5.1–54Nemean 5: for Pytheas — Peleus and the wife of AcastusPindar sends his song out from Aegina to announce the pancratium victory of Pytheas, and says that reverence restrains him from telling how Peleus and Telamon left the island. He tells instead how Peleus resisted the false advances of the wife of Acastus, and how the Muses sang at his wedding to Thetis. He ends by praising Pytheas and his trainer Menander and by bringing garlands to the portals of Aeacus.
  3. Pindar, Nemean Odes 7.1–105Nemean 7: for Sogenes — Neoptolemus at DelphiPindar invokes Eleithyia, goddess of birth, and praises Sogenes of Aegina, boys' pentathlon victor, saying that song gives fame to the deeds of heroes. He tells how Neoptolemus, who sacked Troy, lies buried at Pytho after being struck down in a quarrel over the sacrifice, and defends himself against the charge of having slandered him. He ends by praising the Aeginetan hero's family and warning against idle talk like babbling to babes of 'Corinth, the city of Zeus'.
  4. Pindar, Isthmian Odes 8.1–70Isthmian 8: for Cleandros — Thetis and the AeacidaePindar calls on the youths to sing at the door of Telesarchus for Cleandros of Aegina, pancratium victor, and says that the relief from war's dread may be healed by freedom. He tells how Zeus and Poseidon strove to wed Thetis until Themis declared that she must bear a son greater than his father, so that she was given to Peleus. He ends by praising Cleandros' kinsman, the boxer Nicocles, who won the crown of Dorian celery at the Isthmus.
  5. Pindar, Pythian Odes 7.1–8.100Pythians 7-8: the Alcmaeonidae of Athens; Aristomenes and AlcmaeonPythian 7 praises Athens and the Alcmaeonidae, who built the temple at Delphi, for the chariot victory of Megacles, and says that prosperity brings envy. Pythian 8 is a hymn to Hesychia, goddess of peace, for Aristomenes of Aegina, wrestling victor, and recalls the giant Porphyrion, who did not know her power, and Alcmaeon at Thebes. It ends with the thought that man is the dream of a shadow and a prayer for Aegina and the Aeacidae.
  6. Pindar, Nemean Odes 6.1–69Nemean 6: for Alcimidas — the Bassidae and AchillesPindar says that men and gods have one mother yet differ in power, and praises Alcimidas of Aegina, boys' wrestling victor, and his grandfather Praxidamas, who had won at Olympia. He praises the clan of the Bassidae and tells how Achilles, in the contest with Memnon, son of Dawn, killed him in battle.
  7. Pindar, Nemean Odes 8.1–51Nemean 8: for Deinias — Ajax and OdysseusPindar invokes the queen of youthful prime, and praises Deinias of Aegina, double foot-race winner, and prays to Aeacus for his city. He recalls the envy that has always pursued the valiant, as it did Ajax, who killed himself after the Greeks gave Achilles' arms to Odysseus. He ends by saying that it is easy to raise a monument of song for Deinias' grandfather Megas and the Chariadae.
  8. Pindar, Isthmian Odes 5.1–63Isthmian 5: for Phylacidas — the Aeacidae at TroyPindar addresses Theia, mother of the Sun, and praises Phylacidas of Aegina, pancratium victor, and his brother Pytheas, and says that the Isthmus and Nemea have given them two-fold fame. He asks who it was that fought Hector, Memnon and Telephus, and answers that they were the Aeacidae of Aegina. The ode ends with the praise of Pytheas and a garland for him.
  9. Pindar, Isthmian Odes 6.1–75Isthmian 6: for Phylacidas — Heracles and TelamonPindar mixes a second bowl of song for the house of Lampon after the pancratium victory of Phylacidas. He tells how Heracles, as Telamon's guest, prayed to Zeus for a son and Zeus sent an eagle, so that the child was named Aias, and how Heracles sailed with Telamon against Troy and killed Laomedon and his sons. He ends with the victories of Phylacidas, Pytheas and their uncle Euthymenes, who has won at the Isthmus and Nemea.

Euripides (1)

  1. Euripides, Iphigenia at Aulis 677–740Second episode: Clytemnestra questions Agamemnon about the weddingAgamemnon sends Iphigenia in, and Clytemnestra asks about the bridegroom's family, and he tells her of Aegina, of Peleus and Thetis, and of the Centaur Chiron. Clytemnestra asks who will give the bride away and where she is to prepare the feast for the women. Agamemnon says that she must go back to Argos, and Clytemnestra, after protesting, refuses to obey.

Apollonius Rhodius (3)

  1. Apollonius Rhodius, Argonautica 3.299–438The banquet and Aeetes' demandsAt the banquet Aeetes questions his grandsons, and Argus tells how his ship was wrecked and why the Argonauts have come. Aeetes grows angry and agrees to give up the Fleece only if Jason will yoke the fire-breathing bulls, plough the field of Ares and sow the dragon's teeth, and Jason accepts.
  2. Apollonius Rhodius, Argonautica 1.1261–1362Heracles and Polyphemus are left behindHeracles searches wildly for Hylas, and at dawn Argo sails on without him and Polyphemus. Telamon accuses Jason of leaving Heracles behind on purpose, until the sea-god Glaucus rises from the waves and declares what Zeus has fated for Heracles and for Polyphemus. Telamon and Jason are reconciled.
  3. Apollonius Rhodius, Argonautica 2.815–910The deaths of Idmon and TiphysIdmon is killed by a boar in the marsh, and Tiphys dies of sickness soon after, leaving the ship without a pilot. The heroes bury both and fall into despair until Hera stirs Ancaeus, who offers to steer, and Argo sails on.

Aristophanes (6)

  1. Aristophanes, Frogs 615–665Episode: the test by floggingXanthias offers his slave to be tortured, and Dionysus claims to be a god, but Xanthias says that a real god will not feel the whips. Each is struck in turn, and whichever flinches or cries out must be the slave, so each tries to hide the pain with a verse or a joke. Aeacus cannot tell which is the god and takes them both in to Pluto and Persephone.
  2. Aristophanes, Frogs 732–777Episode: Aeacus and Xanthias; the dead quarrel over the tragic chairAeacus says that the master of Xanthias is a true gentleman, and he and Xanthias compare the joys of grumbling, spying and cursing a master behind his back. A great noise breaks out from within. Aeacus tells Xanthias that the dead are rioting over the rule that the best poet of each craft takes the chair at Pluto's table.
  3. Aristophanes, Frogs 778–812Episode: Aeacus tells of the dispute; Dionysus is to judgeAeacus explains that Euripides came down among the dead and claimed the tragic chair that Aeschylus held, and that the crowd took his side. Sophocles refused the chair and means to sit third. Pluto will hold a contest in which words are weighed in scales, and the master of Xanthias is chosen as judge.
  4. Aristophanes, Frogs 581–614Episode: Dionysus pleads with Xanthias; Aeacus returnsDionysus begs Xanthias to take the lion's skin again and swears by his own wife and children that he will never take it back. The Chorus tell Xanthias to keep up his courage now that he wears the club and the tawny skin. Aeacus then returns with his men to arrest the dog-stealer, and Xanthias denies that he has ever been there.
  5. Aristophanes, Frogs 416–463Parodos: the banter at the bridge; Dionysus at Pluto's doorThe Chorus jeer at Cleisthenes and Callias, who are said to be among the dead. Dionysus asks the way to Pluto's house, and the Chorus tell him that he has come to the very door and then go off to dance. Dionysus knocks as Heracles told him, and Aeacus answers.
  6. Aristophanes, Frogs 464–502Episode: Aeacus takes Dionysus for Heracles; the change of clothesAeacus takes Dionysus in his lion's skin for Heracles, who stole Cerberus, and threatens him with the hell-hounds, the Asp, the Lamprey and the Gorgons. Dionysus faints and asks for a sponge for his heart, and then proposes that they change clothes so that Xanthias takes the club and lion's skin. A maid then welcomes the supposed Heracles.

Diodorus Siculus (1)

  1. Diodorus Siculus, Library of History, Books 4 to 6 (the Greek myths) 4.71.1–4.75.6Asclepius, Aeacus, Pelops and the kings of TroyThe historian gives the birth and healing art of Asclepius and the descendants of Asopus' daughters, including Aeacus and his sons Peleus and Telamon. He then tells of Oenomaüs and the chariot race by which Pelops wins Hippodameia, and of Tantalus, and ends with the first kings of Troy, from Teucrus and Dardanus down to Priam.

Ovid (6)

  1. Ovid, Metamorphoses 7.453–613Cephalus at Aegina; the plagueMinos is gathering a fleet to make war on Athens, and Cephalus is sent from Athens to ask help from Aeacus, king of Aegina, and is received with honour. Aeacus tells how Hera (Juno), angered that the island was named after Zeus' (Jupiter's) lover Aegina, sent a plague that killed its people. The plague began among animals and spread to men, and the dead lay unburied in thousands.
  2. Ovid, Metamorphoses 13.1–120The contest for the arms of Achilles: Ajax speaksThe Greek chiefs gather to judge between Ajax and Odysseus (Ulysses), who both claim the armour of Achilles. Ajax speaks first, boasting of his strength and lineage, and of how he defended the ships against Hector's fire while Odysseus stayed behind. He accuses Odysseus of feigning madness to avoid the war, of abandoning Nestor in battle, and of getting Palamedes killed.
  3. Ovid, Metamorphoses 7.614–657The MyrmidonsThe plague leaves Aeacus almost alone, and he looks at an ant-hill in an oak tree and prays to Zeus (Jupiter) to give him back as many men as there are ants. In the night he dreams that the ants become men, and when he wakes he finds that the dream is true. The new people are called Myrmidons, after the ants, and Aeacus promises Cephalus the help he asks.
  4. Ovid, Metamorphoses 7.792–865The death of ProcrisCephalus, who loves to hunt, calls on Aura, the breeze, to cool him, and someone who overhears thinks that he is speaking of a mistress. He tells Procris, who hides in the thicket to see, and when she moves in the bushes Cephalus, thinking she is a wild animal, throws the spear. Procris dies in his arms, begging him never to marry Aura, and Aeacus and his sons come in.
  5. Ovid, Metamorphoses 9.413–571Byblis and CaunusThemis' prophecy ends, and Byblis, a girl of Miletus, falls in love with her twin brother Caunus, and at first tries to deceive herself that it is only sisterly love. She dreams of him, and debates with herself whether she should write to him, and in the end writes a letter confessing her love. As she gives the tablets to a servant, they slip from her hands and fall.
  6. Ovid, Metamorphoses 11.194–265Laomedon and Hesione; Peleus and ThetisApollo and Poseidon (Neptune) build the walls of Troy for King Laomedon, who cheats them of their pay, and Poseidon sends a sea-monster, to which Hesione is exposed, until Heracles (Hercules) saves her. Laomedon again breaks his word, and Heracles takes the city. Peleus marries the sea-goddess Thetis after he holds her through all her changes of shape, and she bears Achilles.

Pausanias (2)

  1. Pausanias, Description of Greece 2.29.1–11Epidaurus and Aegina: the Aeaceum and the stories of Aeacus and PhocusPausanias lists the temples and images of Epidaurus city and moves to Aegina, tracing the island’s legends from Zeus and Aegina to Aeacus, the descendants of Aeacus who went elsewhere, and its rise to naval power. He describes the Aeaceum with the relief of the envoys who begged Aeacus to end the drought, and the grave of Phocus, killed by Peleus’ quoit throw. He also notes the Secret Harbour and Telamon’s mole, and the theatre and stadium.
  2. Pausanias, Description of Greece 2.30.1–10Aegina’s cults of Hecate and Aphaea; the early history of TroezenPausanias lists Aegina’s temples, Hecate’s mysteries with Myron’s image, the sanctuary of Aphaea and the Cretan legend of Britomartis, and the sanctuary of Panhellenian Zeus, referring readers to Herodotus for the images of Auxesia and Damia. He then turns to Troezenia, giving its legendary kings from Orus and Althepus through Saron, Hyperes and Anthas to Pittheus and Troezen, and notes Dorian rule from Argos and the colonies founded from Troezen.

Quintus Smyrnaeus (7)

  1. Quintus Smyrnaeus, The Fall of Troy (Posthomerica) 1.494–653Achilles kills PenthesileiaAs the Trojans are about to fire the ships, Aias hears the cries and calls Achilles, and both arm and meet the Amazons. Penthesileia hurls two spears at them in vain and boasts, and Achilles pierces her with Chiron's spear. He then runs his spear through her horse, and horse and rider die together.
  2. Quintus Smyrnaeus, The Fall of Troy (Posthomerica) 3.665–787The pyre of AchillesAt dawn the Argives raise a great pyre, and Achilles is burned with the horses and men slain round it. His companions gather his bones into a silver casket, which the Nereids anoint and lay in a golden vase given by Thetis, and the Argives heap a barrow by the Hellespont. His immortal horses mourn him, and Poseidon rises from the sea to console Thetis.
  3. Quintus Smyrnaeus, The Fall of Troy (Posthomerica) 1.766–830Diomedes and Thersites; the Amazons buriedDiomedes, a kinsman of Thersites, is the only Argive angry at his death, and the two heroes are on the point of fighting before their comrades reconcile them. The Atreidae give Penthesileia's body and arms back to Priam, who buries her with her horse beside Laomedon's tomb and buries her Amazons beside her. The Argives raise a mound for Podarces, throw Thersites into a pit, and feast with Achilles.
  4. Quintus Smyrnaeus, The Fall of Troy (Posthomerica) 2.388–548Achilles kills MemnonAchilles leaves the line and finds Memnon, rebuking him as inferior in blood and strength. They fight with swords and shields, and the long and even struggle is watched from Olympus. At last Eris tips the scales and Achilles kills Memnon.
  5. Quintus Smyrnaeus, The Fall of Troy (Posthomerica) 3.1–95Apollo shoots AchillesThe Pylians bury Antilochus by the Hellespont, and Achilles drives the Trojans back, filling the streams of Simois and Xanthus with the dead. Apollo warns him to stop, and Achilles defies him. Apollo, veiled in cloud, shoots an arrow into his ankle, and Achilles pulls it out in agony.
  6. Quintus Smyrnaeus, The Fall of Troy (Posthomerica) 3.212–292The fight over Achilles' bodyThe Trojans, among them Glaucus, Aeneas and Agenor, close round the fallen Achilles to drag his body to Troy, but Aias bestrides it and thrusts them back, killing many. Glaucus threatens Aias, who answers with scorn and then kills him. Aeneas drags Glaucus' body away for the Trojans and, fighting on to strip Achilles, is pierced in the forearm by Aias and withdraws to Troy to be healed.
  7. Quintus Smyrnaeus, The Fall of Troy (Posthomerica) 3.293–421Aias and Odysseus rescue Achilles' bodyAias fights on beside Odysseus, who kills Maenalus, Atymnius and Proteus and is wounded by Alcon, whom he kills. When Paris draws his bow on Aias, Aias strikes his helmet with a stone, and Paris is carried off to Troy behind Hector's horses. Aias drives the rest of the Trojans into the city and then strides back across a plain covered with the dead, and the kings bring Achilles' body to his tent, where the army wails for him.

Nonnus of Panopolis (11)

  1. Nonnus of Panopolis, Dionysiaca 22.207–292Book 22: Aiacos is saved by Athena's clouds; Earth laments the slaughterThe battle spreads along the line, with stones, spears and swords and many men dying on the field. Aiacos is surrounded, but Athena shields him with clouds, and the arrow that grazes his thigh does him no harm. Earth, soaked in blood, laments over the dead Indians.
  2. Nonnus of Panopolis, Dionysiaca 23.0–75Book 23: Aiacos and Dionysos slaughter the Indians in the riverAfter the Naiad's plea, Aiacos and Dionysos drive the Indians into the Hydaspes and kill them as they wade or swim, until the river is choked with bodies. A despairing Indian, following the example of Orontes, kills himself rather than die at the hands of the Bacchants.
  3. Nonnus of Panopolis, Dionysiaca 37.520–666Book 37: Boxing ends; wrestling and the foot-raceMelisseus knocks out Eurymedon in the boxing match. Aiacos throws Aristaios and pins him in the wrestling until the heralds stop the hold, and Erechtheus wins the foot-race after Ocythoos slips in dung.
  4. Nonnus of Panopolis, Dionysiaca 13.201–308Book 13: Aiacos, Asterios and Aristaios joinAiacos comes with his Myrmidons, who were once ants, and Asterios brings the Cretans, who will later settle in Colchis. Aristaios comes last, because he had challenged Dionysos with his honey and lost. He is the son of Cyrene and leads the Arcadians, armed by Apollo.
  5. Nonnus of Panopolis, Dionysiaca 22.293–401Book 22: The pursuit; the Hydaspes runs with bloodErechtheus kills an Indian footman, and Oiagros shoots nine men with nine arrows. Aiacos drives the Indians into the river and slaughters them there, giving no mercy to suppliants, until a Naiad begs him to stop defiling the water.
  6. Nonnus of Panopolis, Dionysiaca 37.667–778Book 37: Throwing the weight; archery; the javelinHalimedes wins the weight-throwing, and Hymenaios wins the archery by shooting down the pigeon after Asterios cuts its string. Aiacos wins the javelin contest with Asterios, which Dionysos stops before blood is drawn.
  7. Nonnus of Panopolis, Dionysiaca 39.130–211Book 39: The sea-battle begins; prayers for help from Zeus and BoreasThe Bacchic fleet surrounds the Indian ships, and the battle begins. Aiacos prays to Zeus for an eagle as an omen and for victory, and Erechtheus calls on Boreas, his son-in-law, to send a wind against the Indians.
  8. Nonnus of Panopolis, Dionysiaca 24.62–178Book 24: The gods carry the Bacchic host over; Thureus reports to DeriadesA north wind quenches the fire, and the Olympians come down to carry their favourites across the river, Zeus as an eagle carrying Aiacos. The Bacchic host camps among the Indian crags and hunts. Thureus reports the disaster to Deriades and advises him to wait until morning, and Deriades withdraws into his city.
  9. Nonnus of Panopolis, Dionysiaca 27.75–143Book 27: Deriades' threats; the Indians march outDeriades goes on to threaten Aiacos, the Cyclopes, the Telchines and Erechtheus, and imagines forging his own thunderbolts. He tells his men to cut down the Bassarids while he and Morrheus deal with Dionysos and Aristaios, and the Indians march out on elephants, horses and foot.
  10. Nonnus of Panopolis, Dionysiaca 30.243–326Book 30: Athena shames Dionysos back into the fightDeriades presses forward as Dionysos withdraws, until Athena, sent by Zeus, shames him for fleeing, comparing him with Perseus and Aiacos, and urges him back to the battle. Inspired, Dionysos kills and wounds many Indians and scatters several tribes, and the Indians fall back.
  11. Nonnus of Panopolis, Dionysiaca 32.221–299Book 32: Morrheus routs the Bacchic army; the leaders fleeMorrheus and Deriades cut down many more, and the Bacchic army breaks and flees into the hills, caves and rivers. Only Aiacos stays fighting, while the Nymphs and Bassarids weep for their absent god.

Bacchylides (1)

  1. Bacchylides, Epinicians (Odes of Victory) 12.1–14.23Odes 12–14: Pytheas of Aegina and the Aeacidae; Cleoptolemus of ThessalyOde 12 asks Cleio to guide the poet to Aegina and to a wrestler's victory at Nemea, but only its opening survives. Ode 13, for Pytheas of Aegina, shows Heracles, the descendant of Perseus, mastering the Nemean lion, praises Aegina and her heroes Peleus, Telamon, Achilles and Ajax, and tells how Achilles' anger let the Trojans drive the Greeks to their ships until Ajax stopped Hector. It ends with praise of the trainer Menander and of the host Lampon. Ode 14 reflects that fortune can crush or exalt a man before honouring Cleoptolemus of Thessaly and the domain of Poseidon Petraios.

Lycophron (2)

  1. Lycophron, Alexandra 839–978Alexandra 839–978: Landfalls in Italy and Libya, the builder of the horse, and the exiles in SicilyThe husband seeking his bride passes the scene of an old slaying of a whale, sleeps among foul-smelling beasts and reaches Siris and Lacinium, where the women are to mourn a nine-cubit hero, third in descent from Aeacus and Doris. Other Greeks are wrecked on the Libyan coast at Taucheira, where a blade of the Argo marks a tomb and Triton is given a golden bowl, while a leader and his men from many named towns bewail their lack of funeral rites. One hero, killed by the Pellenians, is buried near Crathis and honoured as a god at Macalla, and the builder of the horse settles at Lagaria, paying for his father's false oath. In Sicily the daughters of Phoenodamas found a shrine, one of them bears a son to the river Crimisus, and he guides the bastard scion of Anchises to the island's farthest bounds.
  2. Lycophron, Alexandra 1369–1474Alexandra 1369–1474: The conquerors to come, Cassandra's closing complaint, and the slave's last wordsCassandra foretells a succession of later conquerors, beginning with a Zeus called Lapersios who will burn the foe's dwellings and with whom she will die. Next come the son of a man slain in a net, leading a host of many tongues, a Phrygian who avenges his brothers, a giant of the seed of Perseus who walks over the sea and sails over the land, and at last a tawny lion sprung from Aeacus and Dardanus who will quiet the tumult and make the Argive chiefs cower before the wolf-leader of Galadra. She complains that the god who sought her bridal has discredited her words, though he will make her oracles true, and then returns to her prison. The slave ends by telling Priam that he has reported her speech as he was commanded, and prays that god turn her prophecies to a fairer issue.