HYPSEUS (king of Lapiths)

He was a figure of imposing presence, casting a shadow far over his lofty steeds.⁴ His armor included a shield made of seven layers of bull hide and mail woven in three layers to protect his breast.^4,5 He carried a casque, a sword, and a spear that was an ancient glory of the woodland.^4,5 His spear always cleaved through armor and flesh, and his hand never failed of its aim.⁴

Hypseus commanded troops from Midea, Arne, Aulis, Graea, and Plataeae.⁴ He led warriors who subdued Peteon and held Euripus, as well as the men of Anthedon, the remotest of their lands.⁴ He also guided the men of Itone and Minerva's Alalcomenaean bands.⁴ His fury on the Cadmean plain was compared to the rage of his father.⁴

He killed the warrior Argus and repelled the Oebahan squadrons at the start of the fight.⁶ He fought in the river, staining the waters with blood, and killed Antiphos during the fighting there.⁷ Hypseus caused confusion among the Danaan forces.⁷ He inflicted a severe spear wound on Tages, causing him to sink to the bottom of the river.⁸

Hypseus removed the sword and helmet from the body of Hippomedon.⁵ He marched through the Aonian troops while displaying the helmet on his blade.⁵ Hypseus shouted triumphantly to show the defeated Hippomedon to the onlookers.⁵ Capaneus struck Hypseus with a large javelin, piercing his chest.⁵ Capaneus took Hypseus's sword, helmet, and shield as spoils of war.⁵ Capaneus seized Hypseus's weapons and held them over the corpse of Hippomedon.⁵ Hypseus's troops shouted during the battle after their leader was killed.⁹ Mourned by the Greeks at his sepulchre, Hypseus was described as being no slower to fight than Hippomedon.¹⁰