{"id":19721,"date":"2022-01-11T12:17:14","date_gmt":"2022-01-11T12:17:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ancient-literature.com\/?p=19721"},"modified":"2022-04-12T07:40:48","modified_gmt":"2022-04-12T07:40:48","slug":"diomedes-iliads","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ancient-literature.com\/diomedes-iliads\/","title":{"rendered":"Diomedes: Iliad\u2019s Hidden Hero"},"content":{"rendered":"
It seems as if there is little mention of Diomedes in the Iliad<\/b>, considering the importance of his exploits to the continuation of the storyline.<\/p>\n
A respected king in his own right, Diomedes comes into the war as the King of Argos. Bound by the Oath of Tyndareus, he came to defend Menelaus and Helen’s marriage, as he had promised as her suitor. Upon arrival, he quickly became one of the Greek\u2019s most clever and useful fighters.<\/p>\n
While Achilles sulked in his tents angry at Agamemnon\u2019s taking his war-prize Briseis, Diomedes steps up, taking part in several important conflicts.<\/p>\n
Variously known as Diomedes<\/strong>, the Scourge of Troy, and Diomedes, the Lord of War, he is only a man at the end of all things. One of the few Heroes who are truly Human, without divine heritage or blood to mark his legacy, Diomedes is, nonetheless, one of the pillar characters of the epic.<\/p>\n The son of a banished king, Diomedes had a past to overcome. His father, Tydeus, was banished from his homeland of Caydon after killing other potential successors to the throne of Oeneus, his father. Tydeus and his son Diomedes were exiled for Tydeus\u2019 treachery, and his father\u2019s misdeeds forever marked Diomedes.<\/p>\n When they reached Argos, Tydeus earned sanctuary from king Adsastus in exchange for his assistance in a war against Thebes. In return for the sanctuary he was offered, he became one of the Seven Against Thebes in a war to aid Polynices. Tydeus paid dearly for his acceptance in Argos because he ended up dying on the battlefield.<\/p>\n Despite having been banished from his land of origin, Diomedes avenged Oeneus<\/strong> when the sons of Argios imprisoned him. Once Diomedes came of age, he went out to rescue his grandfather from his imprisonment. He killed the sons of Argios, earning both his grandfather\u2019s freedom and forgiveness for his late father\u2019s deeds.\u00a0<\/p>\n The pair set out for Peleponnese but were ambushed by two surviving sons, Onchestos and Therisites. Oeneus was killed in this attack, and Diomedes was forced to travel the remainder of the distance alone. He returned his grandfather\u2019s body to Argos for a proper burial.<\/p>\n Once he arrived, he married Aigaleia, a daughter of Adrastos. He then became the youngest king of Argos. Despite his age and the difficulties he encountered at the beginning, Diomedes ran the kingdom with a skill that earned him the respect of other rulers, including Agamemnon.<\/p>\nDiomedes vs. the Gods: A Mortal Who Fights the Gods<\/h2>\n