Laocoon in the ancient sources

Ancient Sources / Figures / Laocoon

5 passages from 3 ancient authors that tell of Laocoon, in the original with English translation, author by author in the order the Greeks read them. Laocoon was a Trojan priest in Greek mythology, who along with his two sons, was attacked by giant snakes sent by the gods. The phrase "I fear the Gre... For the story in one place, read our article on Laocoon.

Apollonius Rhodius (1)

Apollonius Rhodius, Argonautica 1.122–233The catalogue of the Argonauts, continuedHeracles leaves the Erymanthian boar at Mycenae and joins the expedition with Hylas. The catalogue goes on with Nauplius, Idmon, Castor and Polydeuces, Idas and Lynceus, Euphemus, Meleager, and Zetes and Calais, the winged sons of Boreas, and ends with Acastus and Argus. The poet adds that the whole company was called the Minyae.

Quintus Smyrnaeus (2)

Quintus Smyrnaeus, The Fall of Troy (Posthomerica) 12.444–585Laocoon's sons and CassandraLaocoon still urges the burning of the Horse, and Athena sends two serpents from the island of Calydna that kill his sons. The Trojans make offerings, but the flames die and the temples sweat blood. Cassandra alone sees the truth and runs at the Horse with a firebrand and a two-edged halberd, and the Trojans drag her away.
Quintus Smyrnaeus, The Fall of Troy (Posthomerica) 12.346–443Sinon and LaocoonAt dawn the Trojans see the smoke and the empty shore, and find the Horse and Sinon, whom they question and torture. Laocoon warns them and urges that the Horse be burned. Athena, angered, shakes the earth under him and torments his eyes.

Virgil (2)

Virgil, Aeneid 2.199–249Laocoon and the serpentsLaocoon, priest of Poseidon (Neptune), is about to sacrifice a bull when two huge serpents swim in from Tenedos. They coil around his two sons and then around Laocoon himself as he tries to help. The serpents then take refuge at the feet of Athena (Minerva) in her temple. The terrified Trojans take this as punishment for his spear-cast, breach their own wall, and drag the horse into the citadel, while Cassandra's warning goes unheeded.
Virgil, Aeneid 2.1–56The wooden horseAeneas begins his story at Dido's banquet. He tells how the Greeks, with the skill of Athena (Minerva), build a huge wooden horse, fill it with armed men, and pretend to sail away, hiding at Tenedos. The Trojans leave their gates and debate what to do with the horse. Laocoon warns them against Greek gifts and hurls a spear into its side, which rings hollow.