THERSANDER (mythological king of Thebes)
Figure of myth · mythological king of Thebes
Thersander, son of Polynices and Argea, stood as a savior to the Adrastid house.1 He was considered the bravest Greek at the battle, having won honor during the Second Strife and in various conflicts.2,1 As one of the heroes known as the Epigoni, he participated in the expedition that captured Thebes.3,4,5 He survived the death of Polyneikes.1
After the Argives took the city, they gave control of Thebes to Thersander.2 Thersander was accompanied by forces from Argos, Messenia, and Arcadia, and received help from allies in Corinth and Megara.6 He recalled the people to their homes.7 Thersander gave a robe to Eriphyle.4
His end came during the Trojan expedition, when the Greeks mistakenly sacked Teuthrania, believing it to be Ilium.2,8,9 In that conflict, Thersander was killed by Telephus while defending the city.10,9
Thersander was the father of Tisamenus with Demonassa.8,11,12 Through this lineage, he became an ancestor of Theras.11 His tomb is located in the city of Elaea, where the natives sacrifice to him as a hero.2
The codex facts behind this entry
In the myths
Thersander participated in the Epigoni expedition that captured Thebes. Apollodorus 3.7.2 +3 Thersander was killed by Telephus while defending the city of Teuthrania. Apollodorus, Epitome 3.17 +1
Fate
Thersander was killed by Telephus during the Trojan expedition. Pausanias 9.5.14 +1
