SCYROS (island)
Greek island in the Aegean Sea
- Kind of place
- Island
- People of myth here
- Deidamia, Lycomedes, Neoptolemus
- Where
- 38.87° N, 24.53° E
Scyros is an island in the Aegean Sea, near Myconos, Delos, Caphareus, and Lemnos. Euripides, The Trojan Women 48-97 Achilles married Deidameia while staying at this location. The Cypria fr. 1 (7) Some people claim Achilles lived on the island with maidens, a scene depicted by Polygnotus in his painting. Pausanias 1.22.6
Described in the sources
Neoptolemus was raised on Scyros, which he identifies as his birthplace, and was brought from the island by Odysseus to join the Achaean forces. Iliad 19 ¶25 +4 The island is described as a barren, harborless, and desolate land surrounded by deep seas where waves break against its shores throughout the night. Quintus 7 ¶11 +2 Achilles arrived at Scyros after departing from the land of Telephus, landing at a harbour during a storm that scattered the fleet. The Cypria fr. 1 (7) +1 Neoptolemus claims that Scyros is the mother of brave men and declares that rocky Scyros will be sufficient for him to enjoy his home. Sophocles, Philoctetes 317-342 +1 It is guarded by the goddess Tritonia. Statius, Achilleid 1.682-708 ¶2 Lycomedes resided on the island of Scyros. Apollodorus, Epitome 5.11 Scyros is identified as the city of Enyeus. Iliad 9 ¶30 The island has a coastal tower kept by Abas. Statius, Achilleid 1.682-708 ¶2 An altar of Zeus stands further from the river. Pausanias 3.25.1 The Dolopes attacked the shores of this island. Statius, Achilleid 1.763-790 ¶2
Stories and history
Achilles captured the island during the war. Iliad 9 ¶30 +1 A very large stone from this island floats in water, but sinks when broken into small pieces. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 2.106 ¶7 +1 Cimon, the son of Miltiades, captured and ravaged the island to avenge the death of Theseus, during which he discovered the bones of Theseus. Pausanias 1.17.6 +1 Pyrrhus sailed from Scyros to wed Hermione. Pausanias 3.25.1 Theseus owned ancestral estates located on the island. Plutarch, Theseus 35.3 The monarch shattered enemy ships on the sea near this location. Statius, Achilleid 1.763-790 ¶2 Lycomedes plotted the death of Theseus while he was on the island. Pausanias 1.17.6 Columns and large slabs of marble from Scyrus embellish the city of Rome. Strabo 9.5.16 Philip made the possession of the island a subject of warlike contention. Strabo 9.5.16 The inhabitants treated Theseus with marked honor due to his family fame. Pausanias 1.17.6
Myths set at Scyros
- Achilles Departs for the Trojan War. Achilles, disguised as a woman at Scyros, is discovered by Odysseus and Diomedes who convince him to join the war. He leaves his wife and mother behind, rejecting a life of peace to pursue his destiny. Apollodorus 3.13.8 +5 Achilles
- Achilles' Courtship of Deidamia. hook: Achilles, disguised as a maiden, falls in love with Deidamia during a festival on Scyros. goal: He pursues her to become her companion and lover. outcome: After being revealed, Deidamia laments but they are joined as lovers, and she asks him to help appease her father. Lycophron, Alexandra ¶8 +5 Deidamia
- Odysseus Discovers Achilles on Scyros. The Greek army seeks the missing hero Achilles, who is hiding among maidens on Scyros to avoid war. Odysseus reveals his true identity, forcing him to join the campaign against Troy. Apollodorus 3.13.8 +5 Achilles
- Philoctetes' Lament and Refusal to Return. Philoctetes, suffering from a festering wound and exile on a desolate island, laments his fate and refuses to return to Troy due to his hatred for the Atreids. He begs Neoptolemus to escort him home to Scyros or to his father in Trachis, while cursing his enemies and wishing for death. Sophocles, Philoctetes 1288-1313 +5 Philoctetes
- The Confrontation with Odysseus. Neoptolemus is torn between his pity for Philoctetes and the harsh necessity of the mission, leading to a confrontation with Odysseus. He ultimately refuses to obey Odysseus's threats, asserting that justice is superior to wisdom, and leaves the scene with him. Sophocles, Philoctetes 1045-1080 +5 Neoptolemus
- The Departure of Neoptolemus for Troy. Neoptolemus arrives at Scyros to tell his mother Deidameia that he must join the war at Troy, causing her intense grief. She urges him to stay home but ultimately watches his ship depart with sorrow. Apollodorus 3.13.8 +5 Deidamia
- The Marriage of Pyrrhus and Hermione. Menelaus promises his daughter Hermione to Achilles' son if victory is granted, but the marriage is complicated by Orestes' plea and Neoptolemus' refusal. Pyrrhus eventually sails from Scyros to marry Hermione, though they have no children. Euripides, Andromache 957-1008 +5 Hermione
- The Rescue from Scyros. Helenus declares that Troy can only be captured if Achilles' son fights for the Greeks, prompting Ulysses and Phoenix to retrieve him from Scyros. Neoptolemus arrives at the Greek camp, receives his father's armor, and is transported to Troy to join the war. Apollodorus 3.13.8 +5 Neoptolemus
- The Retrieval of Neoptolemus from Scyros. Odysseus is sent to Scyros to retrieve Achilles' son for the Trojan War. He persuades the young man to join the fight by promising him his father's armor and a marriage alliance, then escorts him to a ship. Quintus 6 ¶3 +5 Odysseus
- The Death of Theseus. hook: "Theseus dies on the island of Scyros, either by accident or at the hands of King Lycomedes." goal: "Cimon sets out to conquer Scyros to avenge Theseus and retrieve his remains." outcome: "Cimon brings Theseus's bones to Athens, where they are honored with processions and buried near the gymnasium."} Pausanias 1.17.6 +3 Theseus
- The Rescue of Neoptolemus from Scyros. The Greeks need Achilles' son to fight, so Phoenix is sent to Scyros. He persuades King Lycomedes to release Neoptolemus. Apollodorus, Epitome 4.3 +3 Phoenix
- The Capture of Scyros. hook: "Achilles captures the city of Scyros." goal: "" outcome: "Iphis is pierced by the warrior Acamas during the battle."} Euripides, The Suppliants 1031-1071 +2 Iphis
3 more
- The Imprisonment on Scyros. hook: "Theseus is held prisoner in Thesprotia after a failed invasion to abduct a king's wife.", "goal": "", "outcome": "Winds carry Theseus off course to the island of Scyros, where he is treated with marked honor."} Pausanias 1.17.4 +2 Theseus
- The Voyage to Sparta. Pyrrhus sets out from Scyros to Sparta to marry Hermione. He lands at the river Scyras, where the Nereids come ashore to watch him. Pausanias 3.25.1 +1 Neoptolemus
- The Gift of Iphis. Achilles gives Patroclus a woman named Iphis after capturing Scyros. Patroclus sleeps with Iphis in a room separate from Achilles. Iliad 9 ¶30 Patroclus