PYLOS (town in Messenia)
Town in Messenia, Peloponnese, Greece
- Kind of place
- Town
- Region
- Messenia
- People of myth here
- Melampus, Neleus, Nestor, Peisistratus, Periclymenus, Thrasymedes
- Where
- 36.91° N, 21.70° E
Homer refers to the place as the city of Neleus in his epics. Pausanias 4.36.1 Homer describes Pylos as sandy when referring to Nestor's kingdom. Pausanias 4.36.5 The inhabitants of Pylos offered a hecatomb of black bulls to Poseidon. Odyssey 3 ¶1
Described in the sources
Nestor ruled the Pylians for three generations, and the palace was at Pylos during his time. Iliad 1 ¶24 +4 Pylos is a coastal town in the maritime section of Messenia, situated near the sea with sandy terrain and a high citadel. Hymn IV to Hermes ll. 397-404 +4 Telemachus plans to travel to Pylos to seek news of his missing father. Odyssey 1 ¶19 +3 Neleus resided in the town of Pylos, which is described as the Neleian city and the birthplace of his sons, including Periclymenus. Argonautica 1 ¶26 +2 Pylos is located in the region of Messenia. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 4.7 ¶1 +1 Telemachus and a stranger returned to Ithaca from this location. Odyssey 16 ¶12 +1 The Cretan sailors were traveling from Crete to Pylos for commercial trade and profit. Hymn III to Delian Apollo ll. 388-439 +1 A cave in a rock exists within this area. Hymn IV to Hermes ll. 397-404 Chloris held the title of Queen in this town. Odyssey 11 ¶23 Nestor sailed from Pylos to join the Greek fleet. Euripides, Iphigenia in Aulis 265-276
Stories and history
The inhabitants of Pylos are described as wealthy in cattle and sheep. Iliad 9 ¶10 +1 Neleus settled in Pylos, built his palace there, and raised the town to great renown. Pausanias 4.2.5 +1 The people of Pylos sought a new country to dwell in. Pausanias 4.23.1 Pylos strains its fortress engines to prepare for war. Statius, Achilleid 1.417-444 ¶1 One account claims Heracles captured the city of Pylos. Pausanias 3.26.8 The Pylian soldiers follow the late-appointed leader Thiodamas. Statius, Thebaid 8.343-369 ¶1 Minerva found willing soldiers in Pylos who were eager to fight. Iliad 11 ¶50 Telemachus prepared to travel to Pylos to search for his father. Ovid, Heroides 1.53 Neleus and Pelasgians from Iolcos drove the original founder out. Pausanias 4.36.1 Telemachus and his crew anchored their ship and went ashore at Pylos. Odyssey 3 ¶1
Myths set at Pylos
- The Assembly of the Suitors. Telemachus confronts the suitors draining his household, demanding a ship to seek news of his father. He is summoned away by a figure appearing as Mentor. Odyssey 16 ¶12 +5 Telemachus
- The Return to Ithaca. Telemachus returns to Ithaca after a journey to find news of his father, only to discover a disguised stranger at his swineherd's farm. He protects the stranger from the suitors and prepares to return to town to monitor their activities. Odyssey 15 ¶16 +5 Telemachus
- The Return to Pylos. Nestor returns to Pylos after the Trojan War, where he recounts the conflict to Telemachus. He shares details about the journey and the fate of his steersman, Phrontis, before dying at home. Ovid, Heroides 1.1 +5 Nestor
- The Visit of Telemachus. Telemachus travels to Pylos to seek information about his father, Ulysses, and is welcomed by the wise king Nestor. Nestor provides hospitality, sacrifices to the gods, and sends Telemachus on to Menelaus with his son as a guide. Odyssey 1 ¶19 +5 Nestor
- Surviving the Destruction of Pylos. Nestor survives the destruction of Pylos by Hercules because he is a youth living among the Gerenians. He is the only son who did not advise against purifying Heracles. Apollodorus 1.9.9 +4 Nestor
- The Departure from Pylos. Telemachus and Minerva prepare to leave Pylos after finishing their drink offerings. Nestor sends his son Pisistratus to escort Telemachus to Menelaus for counsel. Odyssey 3 ¶27 +4 Telemachus
- The Sacrifice at Pylos. hook: Minerva appears visibly to the speaker during a religious festival at Pylos. goal: The speaker prepares for departure after completing sacrificial rites. outcome: Minerva personally receives the offering and Nestor stops the group from leaving. Odyssey 3 ¶26 +4 Athena
- The Reunion with Telemachus. Telemachus sends his swineherd to privately inform his mother of his safe return from Pylos. Penelope weeps with relief as she embraces and kisses her son, asking him to recount his journey. Odyssey 15 ¶2 +3 Penelope