Nestor
heroNestor was the oldest and wisest Greek at Troy, whose long-winded reminiscences and sound counsel made him the archetypal wise old man of Western literature.
The Myth
Nestor lived three generations of men by Artemis's gift. At Troy, he was too old to fight effectively but served as chief counsellor. His advice was always sound, if lengthy — he prefaced every suggestion with stories from his youth. He mediated between Agamemnon and Achilles. He was one of the few heroes who returned home safely and lived to old age. In the Odyssey, Telemachus visits Nestor at Pylos seeking news of Odysseus, and finds a prosperous, well-governed kingdom.
Parents
Neleus and Chloris
Children
Antilochus, Thrasymedes, and others
Symbols
Fun Fact
A "Nestor" means an elder statesman or wise leader — and Nestor's Cup, found at Pithekoussai (c. 735 BC), bears one of the earliest Greek inscriptions.
Words We Inherited
English words and phrases that trace back to this myth:
Explore Further
Achilles
heroThe greatest warrior in the Greek army at Troy, nearly invulnerable thanks to being dipped in the...
Agamemnon
heroAgamemnon led the Greek coalition against Troy but was murdered upon return by his wife...
Artemis
godTwin sister of Apollo and goddess of the hunt. Artemis roamed the wild forests with her band of...
Chloris
nymphChloris was a nymph whom Zephyrus (the west wind) abducted and married, making her the goddess of...
Odysseus
heroThe cleverest of the Greek heroes, whose ten-year journey home from Troy is one of the greatest...
Telemachus
heroTelemachus was the son of Odysseus who grew from a helpless boy into a young man during his...