PHOENIX (mythical bird of regeneration)
Monster · mythological bird that cyclically regenerates or is reborn from its own ashes in Greek, Roman, Arabian, Persian, and East Asian mythologies
After sleeping with his father's concubine at his mother's urging, Phoenix fled from Ormenium to escape exile.5,6 He climbed over the wall on the tenth night to leave his homeland and parents, traveling through Hellas.5,8 King Peleus of Phthia welcomed him, treating him like an only son and giving him gifts upon his arrival.5,8
Peleus made Phoenix rich, appointed him lord of his Dolopian people, and sent him to train young Achilles in speech and action.5,9,10,8 Phoenix nursed Achilles when he was a small child and fostered him as his own dear child.5,9,8 He expected Achilles to be the staff of his age, holding the hero in his arms with a soul that laughed for glee at times, and clasping the noble form in grief at others.8
Phoenix was selected to lead the group of messengers sent to Achilles.11,7 He acted alongside Odysseus in a diplomatic mission and watched the plunder.12,13 He also arrived at Neoptolemus' side during the battle against the Trojans.2,3 Athena once took his form and voice.14
Phoenix sighed woefully for the glorious dead and wished for death before the news reached Peleus.8,15 Patroclus was instructed to prepare a comfortable bed for him, made with sheepskins, a rug, and a sheet of fine linen.16,17 He stayed where he was to sleep, laying himself down and waiting till morning came, because Achilles would have it so.18,17 He died on the way, and Neoptolemus buried him.19,20
