EUPEITHES (father of Antinous)
Figure of myth · father of Antinous the suitor in the Odyssey
- Children
- Antinous son of Eupeithes
- In the sources
- 4 ancient passages
Eupeithes, the father of Antinous, was a man who led the assembled men in their foolish attempt to avenge his son's murder.1,2,3,4 When Odysseus killed Antinous, the first suitor to fall, Eupeithes rose to speak to the assembled people about his son's death, weeping bitterly.1,2,3 He wept bitterly before the assembled people, declaring that he would rather die than live without avenging his son's murder.3,4
Armed and hurried off to gather further gear, Eupeithes urged the men to pursue Odysseus before he could escape to Pylos or Elis.4,3 The remaining assembly members sided with Eupeithes against Halitherses's speech, as he thought he was avenging his son's murder.4 Yet this collective folly led them to their doom, for Eupeithes was destined to perish in his attempt and never return home.4
The codex facts behind this entry
In the myths
Eupeithes led the assembled men in their foolish attempt to avenge his son's murder, declaring he would rather die than live without doing so. Odyssey 24 ¶29 +1
