STHENELUS (king of Argos)

Before the great war, Sthenelus traveled to Sparta to seek Helen's hand in marriage, a quest that bound him to the events that would follow.¹ He later participated in the military campaign against Thebes, led by Alcmaeon, demonstrating his commitment to the causes of his people.⁷ His martial prowess was evident in the battlefield, where he killed Abas by striking him with a javelin.⁹

In the great war, Sthenelus led the men of Argos, the inhabitants of Tiryns, and troops from Hermione, Asine, Troezene, and Eionae.^3,4 He commanded Achaean youths from Aegina and Mases, and helped lead the combined forces of Argos, including the vineyard lands of Epidaurus.³ Sailing with eighty dark ships, he served as a subordinate leader alongside Diomedes and Euryalus, referring to Diomedes as a man after his own heart.^3,4,10

On the field, Sthenelus possessed a chariot and horses, riding a horse that was a descendant of the swift Arion, which he received from Tydeus in Troy.^11,12 He received a helm, two lances, and a taslet from Thetis, equipment that marked his status among the warriors.¹²

In the heat of battle, Sthenelus observed two heroes approaching Diomedes at high speed and advised him to mount the chariot and retreat to avoid death.¹⁰ He was wounded by Diomedes, and when he removed an arrow from his own wound, blood spurted from his shirt.¹³ Boasting that Diomedes would not live much longer, he jumped down from his chariot during the battle.¹³ Later, he emerged from the wooden horse during the night attack on Troy by descending using a swinging cord.¹⁴ His life ended when Agenor killed him by shooting him in the right leg while he fled, causing his leg bones to shatter in an agonizing death.¹⁵ Sthenelus is buried in the gymnasium of Cylarabes, the son of Sthenelus and the man after whom the gymnasium was named.^16,5,17,18