Galaxy/The codex of Antilochus

Son of Nestor of Gerenia — among the boldest Pylians at Troy, who ran with the bitter news of Patroclus' death to Achilles and won renown in the chariot-race at the hero's funeral games.1

I

Homer knows him as a front-rank fighter from the opening battles: Antilochus, son of great-souled Nestor, was first among the Pylians to claim a kill in the Trojan ranks, and later saved Menelaus when Ares roused Aeneas against the shepherd of the host.2

II

When Patroclus fell, Nestor sent Antilochus to Achilles with the bitter tidings. The runner found the son of Peleus by the shore of the grey sea and spoke plainly: Patroclus lies dead, and they are fighting over the naked body — Hector already has the armour.3

III

At the funeral games for Patroclus he drove Nestor's horses in the chariot-race, yielding place to Menelaus with prudent courtesy when the king pressed him — yet Nestor's counsel had taught him to cut the turn close, and by that daring he finished second only to Diomedes.4

IV

After Hector's death, when the Amazon Penthesilea and then Memnon king of the Ethiopians came to Troy, Antilochus fell to Memnon in battle — and Achilles avenged him by slaying the Ethiopian. His shade came later among the heroes Odysseus met in the house of Hades.5

the spine ignites as you read · hover a bond on the card — every mention of them lights in the story

BEYOND THE POETS

How the centuries since have seen Antilochus — art, artifacts and echoes.

ENTER →