Eumelus
Son of Admetus who commanded the Thessalian contingent at Troy and owned the fastest horses in the Greek army
The Legend of Eumelus
Eumelus was the son of King Admetus and Alcestis, the woman who famously volunteered to die in her husband's place before being rescued by Heracles. He came from Pherae in Thessaly and commanded eleven ships at Troy. Eumelus was renowned above all for his horses, which Homer declares were the finest in the entire Greek army. These mares had been bred by Apollo himself during the god's period of servitude to Admetus. During the funeral games for Patroclus, Eumelus entered the chariot race as the favourite, but his yoke broke during the race, throwing him from the chariot and scraping his skin raw. Despite having the best horses, he finished last. Achilles wanted to award him second prize out of sympathy, but Antilochus protested and the original results stood. Eumelus received a consolation prize instead.
Parents
Admetus and Alcestis
Symbols
Explore Further
Glaucus of Corinth
🗡 heroHorses, Hybris, Divine Punishment
Corinthian king and charioteer who fed his mares on human flesh; they devoured him during the funeral games of Pelias.
Echepolos
🗡 heroWealth, horse breeding
Wealthy Greek who bribed Agamemnon with a fine mare to avoid serving at Troy
Sthenelus of Argos
🗡 herowar
Son of Capaneus and charioteer of Diomedes at Troy, one of the Epigoni who avenged their fathers at Thebes.
Kebriones
🗡 heroChariot driving, combat
Illegitimate son of Priam who served as Hector's charioteer and died in a fierce struggle over his body
Euryalus
🗡 heroBoxing, Argive warfare
Son of Mecisteus who commanded part of the Argive contingent and won the boxing match at Patroclus's funeral games
Archeptolemus
🗡 heroChariot warfare, service
Trojan charioteer of Hector who was killed by an arrow from Teucer during the battle at the Greek ships
Sthenelus the Argive
🗡 heroEpigoni, Trojan War, Chariotry
Son of Capaneus, member of the Epigoni, and Diomedes' charioteer and closest companion at Troy.
Antilochus
🗡 herowar
Son of Nestor, youngest Greek commander at Troy, beloved companion of Achilles who died protecting his father.
Schedius
🗡 heroPhocian leadership, combat
Commander of the Phocian contingent at Troy who was killed by Hector during the great battles
Eudoros
🗡 heroMyrmidon leadership, Hermes heritage
Son of Hermes and commander of one of the five Myrmidon divisions under Achilles
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
Bellerophon
🗡 heroThe hero who tamed Pegasus
The Corinthian hero who tamed the winged horse Pegasus and slew the Chimera, but fell from heaven when he tried to reach Olympus.