Amphinomus
The most decent of Penelope's suitors, killed despite Odysseus' veiled warning to flee
The Legend of Amphinomus
Amphinomus was the son of Nisus and came from the island of Dulichium to court Penelope. Among all the suitors, he was the most honourable — Penelope herself favoured his conversation, and Homer notes his good sense and decency. The disguised Odysseus, recognising something worthy in him, took him aside and warned him cryptically to leave the palace before the master returned. Amphinomus was shaken and sat brooding over his wine, sensing the truth behind the words. But Athena had already decided his fate, and he could not bring himself to leave. During the battle, he rushed at Odysseus from behind, but Telemachus drove a spear through his back before he could strike. His death is one of the most poignant in the Odyssey.
Parents
Nisus of Dulichium
Symbols
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Antinous
🗡 heroNone recorded
The most arrogant of the suitors who occupied Odysseus' palace in Ithaca
Eurymachus
🗡 heroNone recorded
Prominent suitor of Penelope who used charm and deception to dominate Odysseus' hall
Sarpedon
🗡 heroNone recorded
Lycian prince and ally of Troy in the Trojan War, son of Zeus
Ctesippus
🗡 heroNone recorded
Violent suitor from Same who threw an ox hoof at the disguised Odysseus
Haemon
🗡 heroNone recorded
Son of Creon and fiancé of Antigone who died beside her in defiance of his father
Icarius
🗡 heroNone recorded
A legendary king of Sparta and father of Penelope who tried to prevent his daughter from leaving with Odysseus after her marriage
Tenes
🗡 heroPurity, Betrayal, Apollo
Prince of Colonae and first ruler of Tenedos, killed by Achilles despite his divine protection by Apollo.
Leodes
🗡 heroNone recorded
Reluctant suitor and sacrificial priest who failed to string Odysseus' bow
Sarpédon
🗡 heroSon of Zeus who died at Troy
Sarpedon was a son of Zeus and the greatest Lycian warrior at Troy — his death forced Zeus to confront the limits of even divine power.
Elpenor
🗡 heroNone recorded
Young companion of Odysseus who died from a drunken fall on Circe's island
Theseus
🗡 heroheroism
Athenian prince who entered the Cretan Labyrinth, killed the Minotaur with Ariadne's help, then abandoned her on Naxos.
Polites
🗡 heroScouting, loyalty
Trojan prince and son of Priam known for his swiftness as a scout and lookout