PELEUS (father of Achilles)
Hero and companion · son of Aeacus in Greek mythology
- Parents
- Aeacus, Endeïs
- Siblings
- Telamon, Menoetius
- Consorts
- Thetis, Antigone, Laodameia
- Children
- Achilles, Polydora, Polymele
- Symbols and gear
- Chiron
- Haunts and cult places
- Pelion
- In the sources
- 238 ancient passages
Peleus is the father of Achilles. Euripides, Helen 68-114 +24 Peleus is the son of Aeacus. Apollodorus 1.8.2 +16 Peleus is a knight and a skilled speaker among the Myrmidons. Iliad 11 ¶52 +2
Appearance
Peleus describes himself as old and wretched, moving with an aged step, yet claims he can still stand straight despite his advanced age. Euripides, Andromache 1197-1213 +2
Powers
Achilles, the son of Peleus, is described as a mighty warrior superior to Hector, with a god acting as his guardian in battle and his weapon always flying straight to pierce flesh. Iliad 20 ¶10 +3 He is described as extremely daring in his military actions, fierce as fire, and a tower of might. Euripides, Rhesus 85-130 +1
In the myths
Peleus killed his half-brother Phocus by striking him with a stone during a pentathlon competition. Diodorus 4.72 +4 After Phoenix's healing, Peleus made him the lord of the Dolopians, giving him wealth and authority over many people. Apollodorus 3.13.8 +3 Peleus captured the city of Iolkos using only his own strength and arrived in Phthia carrying significant wealth from there. Pindar, Nemean 3 ¶6 +2 Peleus welcomed Phoenix, who had fled his father Amyntor, and treated him like an only son and heir. Iliad 9 ¶22 +2 Peleus's son will kill Hector to avenge the death of Patroclus. Iliad 15 ¶5 +2 Peleus married a daughter of Nereus, and the fifty daughters of Nereus danced at the wedding on the sand. Euripides, Iphigenia in Aulis 1036-1057 +1 The gods gave the horses to Peleus despite his mortal nature. Iliad 17 ¶27 +1 Peleus provided shelter for Patroclus after a killing, while Patroclus's father remained in his native country. Apollodorus 3.13.8 +1 Peleus was banished from Aegina because of the fratricide. Argonautica 1 ¶16 +1 Peleus is told to go to Delphi, bury the corpse there to make it a reproach to the city, and then return to a cave. Euripides, Andromache 1231-1283 +1
