Antinous
The most arrogant of the suitors who occupied Odysseus' palace in Ithaca
The Legend of Antinous
Antinous was the son of Eupeithes and the ringleader of the suitors who invaded Odysseus' household during the hero's long absence. He was the most violent and contemptuous of the group, bullying Telemachus, abusing the disguised Odysseus, and throwing a stool at the beggar-king when he asked for food. He plotted to ambush and murder Telemachus to eliminate any threat to the suitors' control. When Odysseus finally revealed himself and strung his great bow, Antinous was the first to die — struck through the throat by an arrow while lifting a golden cup to drink. His death signalled the beginning of the suitors' slaughter.
Parents
Eupeithes
Symbols
Fun Fact
He was mid-sip from a golden cup when Odysseus' arrow pierced his throat — the first suitor to fall
Explore Further
Eurymachus
🗡 heroNone recorded
Prominent suitor of Penelope who used charm and deception to dominate Odysseus' hall
Amphinomus
🗡 heroNone recorded
The most decent of Penelope's suitors, killed despite Odysseus' veiled warning to flee
Leodes
🗡 heroNone recorded
Reluctant suitor and sacrificial priest who failed to string Odysseus' bow
Ctesippus
🗡 heroNone recorded
Violent suitor from Same who threw an ox hoof at the disguised Odysseus
Oenomaus
🗡 heroNone recorded
A king of Pisa who killed the suitors of his daughter Hippodamia in rigged chariot races until Pelops defeated him through trickery and divine favour
Anteia
🗡 heroDesire, false accusation
Queen of Tiryns who falsely accused Bellerophon of assault, setting in motion his legendary trials
Deiphobus
🗡 herowar
Trojan prince who married Helen after Paris was killed, making him the last husband of the most contested woman in myth.
Tenes
🗡 heroPurity, Betrayal, Apollo
Prince of Colonae and first ruler of Tenedos, killed by Achilles despite his divine protection by Apollo.
Megara
🗡 heroNone recorded
First wife of Heracles, given to him as a reward and later killed in his madness
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
Paris
🗡 heroPrince who caused the Trojan War
Paris was the Trojan prince whose judgement of three goddesses and abduction of Helen ignited the Trojan War — the most consequential act of desire in Western mythology.
Sarpedon
🗡 heroNone recorded
Lycian prince and ally of Troy in the Trojan War, son of Zeus