Eetion

In Greek mythology, Eëtion or Eetion (/iˈti.ɒn/;[1] Ancient Greek: Ἠετίων Ēetíōn [ɛː.e.tí.ɔːn]) was the king of the Cilician Thebe.

Family

Eetion was the father of Andromache, wife of Hector,[2] and of seven sons, including Podes.

Mythology

In Book 6 of the Iliad, Andromache relates that Achilles killed Eëtion and his seven sons in a raid on Thebe,[3] but in Book 17, Podes appears and is killed by Menelaus.[4] This inconsistency on Homer's part may be an implication that some traditions gave Eëtion eight sons.

His wife is never named, but Andromache relates that she was captured in the same raid in which Eëtion was killed, and died of sickness in Troy following her release.[5] However, a certain Astynome, also called Chryseis, was said to be the wife of Eetion at that time. She was carried off by Achilles and later became the war prize of Agamemnon.[6]

Notes

  1. ^ Zimmerman, J. E. (1964). Dictionary of Classical Mythology. New York: Harper & Row. p. 91.
  2. ^ Hyginus, Fabulae 123
  3. ^ Homer, Iliad 6.414 ff.
  4. ^ Homer, Iliad 17.575 ff.
  5. ^ Homer, Iliad 6.425–429
  6. ^ Dictys Cretensis, Trojan War Chronicle 2.17 & 2.19

References