AUTOLYCUS (son of Daedalion)
Figure of myth · son of Daedalion in Greek mythology
- Parents
- Hermes, Daedalion, Chione, Philonis
- Consorts
- Neaera, Mestra, Amphithea
- Children
- Anticlea, Polymede, Aesimus
- Haunts and cult places
- Mount Parnassus
- In the sources
- 23 ancient passages
Autolycus, the most accomplished thief and perjurer in the whole world, was a figure of striking beauty whose presence drew the eyes of everyone present, compared to light appearing in the night.1,2 He was the son of Baedalion, though some accounts claimed he was a son of Hermes, and he resided on Mount Parnassus.3,4,5,6 Hermes endowed him with the gift of thievery, giving him the ability to make any object he touched vanish.1,4
His skills led him to steal a helmet from the house of Amyntor in Eleon by breaking through the thick walls, which he later gave to Amphidamas of Cythera.7,8 He also stole some cattle from the region of Euboea.9 He hosted Odysseus as a guest during a hunting expedition on Mt. Parnassus.1,10
Autolycus was the father of Anticlea, the mother of Odysseus, making him the grandfather of the great hero.11,1 He went to Ithaca to name his newborn grandson Odysseus, suggesting the name because he was angry at many people.1,5 During this visit, the nurse placed the infant on his knees while he visited the wealthy inhabitants of Ithaca, and he promised to give the child a present when he visited his maternal family.12,5
Autolycus greeted Odysseus by shaking hands with him and offering a welcome, instructing his sons to prepare dinner for the guests.13 They feasted together until the sun set, and Autolycus went to bed with his guests after the evening meal.13 Autolycus and his sons helped heal Odysseus' leg wound after a boar hunt and gave him splendid presents before sending him back to Ithaca with mutual good will.6
In his domestic life, Autolycus married Neaera, the daughter of Pereus, and was also said to be married to the daughter of Erisicthon.3,14 He possessed privileges that were equal to those of his wife, and he burned the thigh bones of goats and kids for Hermes as a regular habit.14,1 He instructed Heracles in the art of wrestling.15
The codex facts behind this entry
Powers
Hermes endowed Autolycus with the gift of thievery, giving him the ability to make any object he touched vanish. Odyssey 19 ¶25 +1
In the myths
Autolycus stole a helmet from the house of Amyntor in Eleon by breaking through the thick walls. Iliad 10 ¶23 +1 Autolycus hosted Odysseus as a guest during a hunting expedition on Mt. Parnassus. Odyssey 19 ¶25 +1 Autolycus went to Ithaca to name his newborn grandson Odysseus, suggesting the name because he was angry at many people. Odyssey 19 ¶25 +1
