Warlike captain of the Phthians who leapt first from his ship at Troy and was slain by a Dardanian warrior ere the black earth held him — elder brother of Podarces, who marshalled the host when the men longed for their fallen leader.1
From Phylace and Hellas, Antron, Pteleos, and the towns about, the Phthians followed Protesilaus while yet he lived; howbeit ere now the black earth held him fast. His wife, her two cheeks torn in wailing, was left in Phylace and his house but half established, while a Dardanian warrior slew him as he leapt forth from his ship.2
About the ship that had borne Protesilaus to Troy but brought him not back to his native land, Achaeans and Trojans joined in close combat when the wall was breached — and his brother Podarces led the Phthians in the forefront.3
When Laodamia heard that her husband was first ashore and first to die, she begged the gods for three hours' speech with him — Hyginus names her daughter of Acastus, and Pausanias saw that king on the chest of Cypselus presiding over Pelias' funeral games as father of the Protesilaus who marched against Troy.4
⁂
the spine ignites as you read · hover a bond on the card — every mention of them lights in the story