Antilochus
Achaean prince and close friend of Achilles.
Antilochus was a prince of Pylos and a commander of troops in the Trojan War. He is notable for his close relationship with Achilles and his role in the aftermath of Patroclus' death.
Quick Facts
- Title
- Prince of Pylos
- Notable relationships
- Achilles
- Patroclus
- Menelaus
- Father
- Nestor
- Brother
- Thrasymedes
- Distinctions
- Beauty
- swiftness of foot
- skill as a charioteer
Facts from the source article.
Mythology
During the Trojan War, Antilochus was the first Greek to kill a Trojan captain, Echepolus, after fighting resumed following the aborted duel of Paris and Menelaus. He was distinguished for his beauty, swiftness, and chariot skill, and commanded the Pylians despite being the youngest Greek prince. In an early battle, Antilochus joined Menelaus against Aeneas, causing Aeneas to withdraw. Later, Menelaus directed Antilochus to lead a fight during a low period for the Greeks, which he did successfully. After Patroclus' death, Ajax believed Antilochus was the best person to inform Achilles, and Menelaus agreed, thinking Achilles already loved Antilochus. While they mourned together, Antilochus held Achilles' hands to prevent him from committing suicide. Their relationship then grew, though it never fully replaced the bond between Achilles and Patroclus. At Patroclus' funeral games, Antilochus finished second in the chariot race despite having the slowest horses, after listening to his father's advice and aggressively passing Menelaus.
Analysis
Scholars have noted strong parallels between the trio of Achilles, Patroclus, and Hector in the Iliad and that of Achilles, Antilochus, and Memnon in the Aethiopis, leading to debate over which trio inspired the other. Some classicists and queer studies scholars interpret Antilochus, Achilles, and Patroclus as lovers, with their relationships seen as successive or triadic. Triadic readings focus on the impact of both Patroclus' and Antilochus' deaths on Achilles and their eternal bond through burials and afterlives. Other analysis questions whether Antilochus had a close relationship with Achilles in the Iliad resembling that with Patroclus. Some readings find Antilochus began to take Patroclus' place, citing his role in informing Achilles, physically restraining him from suicide, and being the first to make him smile afterward. Other scholars disagree, arguing the text could have shown more of a growing relationship and that originally only Achilles and Patroclus were buried together. Louis Gernet and later scholars claimed the argument between Menelaus and Antilochus over the chariot race prize was an early example of a judicial case in Greek history.
More in LGBTQ Themes in Greek Mythology
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced