Epigeus
{{one source|date=May 2021}}
{{short description|Greek character in the Iliad}}
In Greek mythology, Epigeus or Epeigeus (Ancient Greek: Ἐπειγεύς Epeigeus) is a Greek hero in the Iliad. He was one of the best soldiers in the Myrmidon army against Troy.Homer, Iliad 16.570 (cited by Schmitz) Epeigeus was the son of Agacles.Homer, Iliad 16.571
Mythology
Before the Trojan War, Epigeus was a king of Budeum but he killed one of his kin and fled to Peleus and Thetis. They sent Epigeus to accompany their son Achilles to Troy.Homer, Iliad 16.572–575 During the siege, he was eventually slain by the hero Hector.Homer, Iliad 16.577
And first the Trojans drave back the bright-eyed Achaeans, for smitten was a man in no wise the worst among the Myrmidons, even the son of great-souled Agacles, goodly Epeigeus, that was king in well-peopled Budeum of old, but when he had slain a goodly man of his kin, to Peleus he came as a suppliant, and to silver-footed Thetis; and they sent him to follow with Achilles, breaker of the ranks of men, to Ilios, famed for its horses, that he might fight with the Trojans. Him, as he was laying hold of the corpse, glorious Hector smote upon the head with a stone; and his head was wholly cloven asunder within the heavy helmet, and he fell headlong upon the corpse, and death, that slayeth the spirit, was shed about him.Homer, Iliad 16.569–580
Legacy
A Trojan asteroid, 5259 Epeigeus, has been named after him.
Notes
References
- Homer, The Iliad with an English Translation by A.T. Murray, Ph.D., in two volumes. Cambridge, MA., Harvard University Press; London, William Heinemann, Ltd. 1924. {{ISBN|978-0674995796|}}. [http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus:text:1999.01.0134 Online version at the Perseus Digital Library.]
- Homer, Homeri Opera in five volumes. Oxford, Oxford University Press. 1920. {{ISBN|978-0198145318|}}. [http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus:text:1999.01.0133 Greek text available at the Perseus Digital Library].
{{SmithDGRBM|author=Leonhard Schmitz}}
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