MEGES (mythical son of Phyleus)
Figure of myth · mythical son of Phyleus
- Known as
- A peer of Ares
- Parents
- Phyleus, Eustyoche
- Haunts and cult places
- Dulichium
- In the sources
- 27 ancient passages
Meges, son of Phyleus and Eustyoche, was a terrible man whose very presence caused others to shrink back in fear.1,2,3 His parents resided in Margasus near the streams of the river Harpasus, and he was rich in gold, described as a peer of Ares.4,5,6,7 After quarreling with his father, he settled in Dulichium, where he became the chief of the Epeii people who originated from Elis.7,8,9 He commanded the warriors from Dulichium and the Echinean islands, as well as the Taphian warriors, leading forty ships for the great expedition.2,7,10 His domains included the Echinades and Oxeiae islands, and he was associated with the clan of Chariadai.10,8,11
Before the war, Meges traveled to Sparta with other Greek kings to seek Helen's hand in marriage.1 Once the conflict began, he was selected by lot to lead a night raid against the enemy camp alongside Lycus.12 He gathered his best warriors to support the fight against Hector and the Trojans, fighting alongside Ajax, Idomeneus, Teucer, and Meriones.6 During this period, he sustained an injury to his arm in a nighttime battle, having been wounded by Admetus, son of Augeias.13,14 He also accompanied the sons of Nestor and other warriors to Agamemnon's tent to help bring out the promised tripods, cauldrons, horses, and women.15
Athena filled Meges' breast with courage to bring doom to his foes, and he rushed into battle swiftly, comparing his movement to a lion leaping.3 He slew any enemy whose body his black-shafted lance touched, killing Itymoneus and Agelaus, the son of Hippasus, during the battle.3 He killed Pedaeus, the son of Antenor, by thrusting a spear into the back of his neck, and later killed Croesmus by hitting him in the chest with a spear.16,17 He stripped the dead Croesmus of his armor, and later killed Alcaeus by driving a spear beneath his heart, as well as the Trojan warrior Deiopites.17,4,18 Meges attempted to strike Polydamas but missed because Apollo prevented his death.17
Meges wore a corslet made of metal plates that had been given to his father, which protected him when Dolops struck his shield.17 He tore the horse-hair plume from Dolops's bronze helmet with his spear, and Menelaus approached him to assist in the fight against the warrior.17 Together, they moved to strip the fallen Dolops of his armor, while Meges commanded the Epean forces during the battle.17,19 He possessed a helmet originally brought from Eleon by Autolycus and taken from the house of Amyntor, along with armour that originated from the city of Ephyra near the river Selleis.20,21
After the war, he was cast away and shipwrecked at Caphereus in Euboea.22 He died suddenly, and his spirit cannot be brought back to earth.11,4 He was the father of Deinis, and also the father of the twins Scion and Eubius, who were born near the banks of the Sangarius river.23,5 Otus of Cyllene served as a comrade of Meges, sharing in his martial legacy.24,9
The codex facts behind this entry
Meges is the son of Phyleus. Apollodorus 3.10.8 +9
In the myths
Meges sustained an injury to his arm during a nighttime battle against the Trojans, having been wounded by Admetus, son of Augeias. Pausanias 10.25.5 +1 Meges quarreled with his father and subsequently moved to settle in Dulichium. Iliad 2 ¶47 +1 Meges entered the wooden horse along with other Greek leaders. Quintus 12 ¶18 +1
Fate
Meges died suddenly, and his spirit cannot be brought back to earth. Pindar, Nemean 8 ¶14 +2
