Autolycus
Autolycus was the greatest thief in Greek mythology, son of Hermes, who could steal anything and change its appearance — grandfather of Odysseus.
The Legend of Autolycus
Son of Hermes and grandfather of Odysseus, Autolycus inherited his father's talent for thievery and deception. He could steal anything and magically transform stolen goods so they went unrecognised. He met his match in Sisyphus of Corinth, who marked his cattle and caught Autolycus red-handed. On Mount Parnassus, a boar gored the young Odysseus during a hunt at Autolycus's home — the scar by which Eurycleia later recognised her master. His bloodline links Hermes's cunning through Ithaca's royal house.
Parents
Hermes and Chione
Symbols
Fun Fact
Shakespeare used the name Autolycus for the charming rogue in The Winter's Tale — "a snapper-up of unconsidered trifles."
Words We Inherited
English words and phrases that trace back to this myth. See our full guide to English words from Greek mythology.
Explore Further
Autolycus
🗡 herotheft, cunning
The master thief and shapeshifter, grandfather of Odysseus, whose gift for deception was inherited by the most cunning hero in Greek mythology.
Arcas
🗡 heroKingship, hunting, Arcadia
Eponymous founder and king of Arcadia who was nearly tricked into eating his own transformed mother
Alector
🗡 heroKingship, Argos
Argive nobleman and father of several notable figures in the Trojan War tradition
Abas
🗡 heroKingship, warfare
King of Argos renowned as a fierce warrior whose very shield could terrify enemies
Odysseus
🗡 heroMan of many wiles
Odysseus was the most cunning of all Greek heroes — the man of polytropos (many turns), whose intelligence rather than strength defined a new kind of heroism.
Oebalus
🗡 heroLaconian Kingship, Foundation
Early king of Sparta whose descendants included Castor, Pollux, and Helen.
Eurycleia
🗡 heroNurse who recognised Odysseus by his scar
Eurycleia was Odysseus's old nurse who recognised him by a boar-tusk scar on his thigh when she washed his feet — one of the Odyssey's most famous recognition scenes.
Amphitryon
🗡 heroMortal father of Heracles
Amphitryon was the mortal husband of Alcmene whose identity Zeus stole for one night — making Amphitryon the cuckolded but loving father of Heracles.
Canthus
🗡 heroHerding, loyalty
Argonaut from Euboea who was killed in Libya while searching for stolen cattle
Pentheus
🗡 heroNone recorded
King of Thebes torn apart by his own mother for opposing the worship of Dionysus
Jason
🗡 heroLeader of the Argonauts, seeker of the Golden Fleece
The hero who assembled the Argonauts and sailed to Colchis in quest of the Golden Fleece. Jason's story is one of ambition, adventure, and tragic betrayal.
Pelops
🗡 heroFounder of the Peloponnese dynasty
Pelops was the prince served as food to the gods by his father Tantalus, restored to life with an ivory shoulder, and founder of the cursed dynasty that ruled Mycenae.