ASTEROPAIOS (son of Pelegon)
Figure of myth · son of Pelegon in Greek mythology
- Parents
- Pelegon
- Haunts and cult places
- Paeonia
- In the sources
- 14 ancient passages
Asteropaios, the Captain of the Paeonians, was a chief from Paeonia in Macedonia who traveled to Troy.1,2,3 He arrived alongside Laophoon to support the local forces and stated he had been at Ilius for eleven days.4,1 Accounts differ regarding his lineage, with some naming the river Axius as his father and others identifying him as the son of Pelegon.5,1,3 The river Axius is told to put away its wrath because of his death, and he is described as being dead in the lamentation.6
Sarpedon considered Asteropaios the most valiant warrior after himself.7 He fought alongside Sarpedon and Glaucus against the Danaans.7 Hector exorted Asteropaios to defend the Trojans against the Achaeans.8 Asteropaios helped array his companions in ox-hide shields before charging.7 He charged forward to avenge the death of Apisaon.9 Asteropaios attempted to attack the Danaans but was prevented by their shield wall.9
The river horse/">Xanthus filled him with courage to fight Achilles.1 Asteropaios sprang out of the water to fight Achilles with spears in both hands.5,1 One of Asteropaios's spears struck Achilles' shield but failed to pierce the gold layer.5 Asteropaios's other spear grazed Achilles' right elbow, drawing dark blood.5 Asteropaios attempted to pull Achilles' spear from the river bank but failed three times.5 Asteropaios tried to bend and break Achilles' spear before being killed.5
Achilles killed Asteropaeus with a sword and stripped him of his armor.10,5 Achilles killed Asteropaeus by striking him in the belly near the navel with a sword, causing his bowels to gush out onto the ground.5 His body was left on the sand where dark water flowed over it.11 Eels and fishes nibbled and gnawed the fat around his kidneys.11
Asteropaios possessed a Thracian sword inlaid with silver.12 Asteropaios possessed a bronze breastplate featuring a tin rim.13 Asteropaios had his bronze breastplate taken by the speaker.13 Asteropaios claimed river descent, while Achilles stated Zeus is mightier than rivers like Achelous and Oceanus.5
The codex facts behind this entry
Asteropaeus is identified as the son of Pelegon in Homer. Iliad 21 ¶9 +1 He was the leader of the Paeonians. Iliad 21 ¶11 +1
In the myths
Achilles killed Asteropaeus with a sword and stripped him of his armor. Apollodorus, Epitome 4.7 +3 Asteropaeus sprang out of the water to fight Achilles with spears in both hands. Iliad 21 ¶10 +1
