The Story of Diomedes
Diomedes was the son of Tydeus, one of the Seven Against Thebes, and became king of Argos. His father died at Thebes, and years later Diomedes joined the sons of the fallen champions, the Epigoni, who returned and conquered the city. He then sailed to Troy as one of the youngest and boldest of the Greek leaders.
In the Iliad, Athena filled Diomedes with courage and gave him the power to see the gods on the battlefield. He raged through the Trojan ranks and wounded Aphrodite in the hand as she tried to rescue her son Aeneas. With Athena guiding his spear, he even wounded Ares, who fled howling back to Olympus.
Diomedes also showed that he valued honor and friendship. When he met the Lycian warrior Glaucus in battle, they learned that their grandfathers had been guest friends. Instead of fighting, they swore friendship and exchanged armor, though Glaucus gave gold armor in return for bronze.
Diomedes was often paired with Odysseus. One night the two crept into the Trojan camp, captured the spy Dolon, killed the Thracian king Rhesus and drove off his famous horses. In later tellings they also stole the Palladium, the sacred statue of Athena that protected Troy.
Diomedes came home safely, but in many tellings he found that his wife had been unfaithful, and he left Argos for Italy. There he was said to have founded several cities and was later honored as a hero. Legend said his grieving companions were turned into seabirds, which flocked around an island in the Adriatic named after him.
Famous Myths About Diomedes
Wounding the Gods
Inspired by Athena, Diomedes raged across the Trojan battlefield and wounded Aphrodite in the hand as she tried to rescue her son Aeneas. With Athena guiding his spear, he even wounded Ares, who fled howling back to Olympus.
Gold for Bronze
Diomedes met the Lycian warrior Glaucus in battle and learned that their grandfathers had been friends. Instead of fighting, they swore friendship and exchanged armor, though Glaucus gave golden armor in return for bronze.
The Night Raid
Diomedes and Odysseus crept into the Trojan camp at night, where they caught the spy Dolon and learned of the newly arrived Thracian king Rhesus. They killed Rhesus in his sleep and drove off his splendid horses.
Stealing the Palladium
A prophecy said Troy could not fall while it held the Palladium, an ancient wooden statue of Athena. Diomedes and Odysseus slipped into the city in secret and carried it off, clearing the way for the Greek victory.
Diomedes's Family Tree
Parents of Diomedes
Partners of Diomedes
Children of Diomedes
Frequently Asked Questions About Diomedes
Who was Diomedes in Greek mythology?
Diomedes, king of Argos, was one of the bravest Greek heroes of the Trojan War. A favorite of Athena, he even wounded the gods Aphrodite and Ares in battle.
Who was Diomedes's father?
Diomedes was the son of Tydeus, one of the Seven Against Thebes. He later joined the Epigoni, the sons of the Seven, who succeeded in capturing Thebes.
What is the Palladium that Diomedes stole?
The Palladium was a sacred wooden statue of Athena, and Troy could not fall while it stayed inside the city. Diomedes and Odysseus slipped into Troy at night and carried it away.
What happened to Diomedes after the Trojan War?
When he returned to Argos, Diomedes found that his wife had been unfaithful, so he left Greece for Italy, where he was said to have founded several cities.
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