The Story of Neoptolemus
Neoptolemus was the son of Achilles and the princess Deidamia, born on the island of Skyros while his father was hiding there before the Trojan War. He was also known as Pyrrhus, meaning red haired. He grew up on Skyros in the house of his grandfather, King Lycomedes.
After Achilles was killed, a prophecy said that Troy would not fall without his son. Odysseus sailed to Skyros and brought the young Neoptolemus to Troy, where he was given his father's armor. In Sophocles' play Philoctetes, he also helped bring the archer Philoctetes back to the war.
Neoptolemus was one of the warriors hidden inside the wooden horse. During the sack of Troy, he found old King Priam clinging to the altar of Zeus in his palace courtyard and killed him there, an act of cruelty that shocked even the Greeks. In some tellings he also threw Hector's infant son Astyanax from the walls and sacrificed the princess Polyxena at his father's tomb.
After the war, Neoptolemus took Hector's widow Andromache as a captive and settled in Epirus, where he was said to be the ancestor of the Molossian kings. He also married Hermione, the daughter of Menelaus and Helen. This marriage brought him into conflict with Orestes, who had been promised Hermione himself.
Neoptolemus was killed at Delphi, in many accounts by Orestes and in others by the people of Delphi in a quarrel at the temple. The Greeks saw a grim justice in his fate, since the man who had killed Priam at an altar was himself killed at a sacred place. He was buried at Delphi and later honored there as a hero.
Famous Myths About Neoptolemus
Called to Troy
After Achilles died, a prophecy said Troy would not fall without his son. Odysseus brought young Neoptolemus from Skyros, and he became one of the warriors hidden inside the Trojan Horse.
The Death of Priam
During the sack of Troy, Neoptolemus found old King Priam clinging to the altar of Zeus in his palace courtyard. He killed the king right there, an act of cruelty that shocked even the Greeks.
Death at Delphi
After the war, Neoptolemus took Hector's widow Andromache as a captive and married Hermione, daughter of Menelaus. He was later killed at Delphi, in many accounts by Orestes, who had been promised Hermione himself.
Neoptolemus's Family Tree
Parents of Neoptolemus
Partners of Neoptolemus
Children of Neoptolemus
Frequently Asked Questions About Neoptolemus
Who was Neoptolemus in Greek mythology?
Neoptolemus, also called Pyrrhus, was the son of Achilles and Deidamia. He came to Troy after his father's death because a prophecy said the city could not fall without him.
What did Neoptolemus do at the fall of Troy?
Neoptolemus was one of the warriors hidden inside the Trojan Horse. During the sack of the city, he killed the aged King Priam at the altar of Zeus.
How did Neoptolemus die?
Neoptolemus was killed at Delphi, in many accounts by Orestes, who wanted to marry Neoptolemus's wife Hermione.
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