Memnon in the ancient sources

Ancient Sources / Figures / Memnon

13 passages from 5 ancient authors that tell of Memnon, in the original with English translation, author by author in the order the Greeks read them. Memnon was the son of Tithonus and Eos in Greek mythology, king of the region of Ethiopia. He participated in the Trojan War on the side of the Trojan... For the story in one place, read our article on Memnon.

Pindar (3)

Pindar, Pythian Odes 6.1–50Pythian 6: for Xenocrates — Thrasybulus and AntilochusPindar likens his ode to a treasure-house at Delphi for Xenocrates of Acragas, victor in the chariot race, and praises his son Thrasybulus for keeping the old precept of honouring his father. He recalls Cheiron's teaching to Achilles to honour Zeus and parents, and how Antilochus died to save his father Nestor from Memnon.
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.
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.

Ovid (1)

Ovid, Metamorphoses 13.576–622Memnon's birdsThe gods are not moved by the fall of Troy, but Eos (Aurora), whose son Memnon was killed by Achilles, begs Zeus (Jupiter) for some honour for him. As Memnon's funeral pyre burns, his ashes become birds, which fight one another over the pyre and fall as sacrifices to the dead, and which return every year to repeat the battle. Eos still sheds tears for him, which fall as dew.

Pausanias (2)

Pausanias, Description of Greece 10.31.1–12Delphi: Polygnotus' painting of the underworld (4): Ajax, Meleager, Memnon, Penthesilea, Sisyphus and TantalusPausanias completes the underworld painting with the dicing group of Ajax, Palamedes and Thersites, Ulysses' enemies, and Meleager, with the rival accounts of his death. He describes Hector, Memnon with the birds called Memnonides, Sarpedon, Paris and Penthesilea, then the uninitiated carrying water in broken pitchers, Callisto, Nomia, Pero, Sisyphus and Tantalus.
Pausanias, Description of Greece 1.42.1–7Megara: the Alcathoan acropolis, the singing stone and Memnon’s ColossusPausanias describes the acropolis named after Alcathous, with the tomb of Megareus, the hearth of the Prodomeis and the stone that sounds like a lyre. He compares it with the Colossus of Memnon at Egyptian Thebes, which sounds at sunrise. He also notes the Council House, temples of Athena and Apollo, the ebony statues, the sanctuary of Lawgiver Demeter, the tomb of Callipolis and the shrine of Ino.

Quintus Smyrnaeus (6)

Quintus Smyrnaeus, The Fall of Troy (Posthomerica) 2.277–387Memnon and NestorThrasymedes and Phereus charge Memnon to avenge Antilochus; Phereus kills Polymnius and Thrasymedes kills Laomedon, but the spears cannot hurt Memnon. Nestor himself rushes forward, but Memnon, respecting his age, tells him to withdraw. Nestor answers sadly, retreats, and appeals to Achilles to save his son's body and arms.
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.
Quintus Smyrnaeus, The Fall of Troy (Posthomerica) 2.94–182Memnon comes to TroyMemnon arrives with a host of Aethiopians and is welcomed by Priam, who pledges him in the golden cup that Hephaestus made and that passed down through the kings of Troy. Memnon goes to his rest. On Olympus Zeus tells the gods that tomorrow's battle will cost many lives and that none of them may intervene.
Quintus Smyrnaeus, The Fall of Troy (Posthomerica) 2.549–666Dawn mourns MemnonDawn groans and veils the earth in cloud, and her children the winds bear Memnon's body away. His Aethiopian companions are turned into birds that wheel round his tomb. All night Dawn lies weeping for her son, and the Hours at last lead her back to heaven against her will.
Quintus Smyrnaeus, The Fall of Troy (Posthomerica) 2.1–93Polydamas and Paris quarrelPriam urges the Trojans to defend the walls until Memnon comes. Polydamas doubts that waiting will save them and counsels against endless war, and Paris reviles him as a coward. Polydamas answers him to his face, and Paris has no reply.
Quintus Smyrnaeus, The Fall of Troy (Posthomerica) 2.183–276Memnon kills AntilochusAt dawn the Trojans arm and the Argives, trusting in Achilles, arm to meet them. Achilles kills Thalius, Mentes and many others, while Memnon kills Pheron and then Antilochus, the son of Nestor, before his father's eyes.

Epic Cycle (1)

Epic Cycle, Summaries and Fragments 6.1–5AethiopisProclus' summary tells how Memnon, the son of Eos, comes to help the Trojans in armour made by Hephaestus, and how Thetis tells her son about him. Achilles is killed by Paris and Apollo and Aias carries the body away. A fragment adds the Amazon, the daughter of Ares, who came after the burial of Hector.