Periboia
Athenian noblewoman who joined the tribute sent to Minos and was rescued by Theseus, later marrying Ajax's father Telamon.
The Legend of Periboia
Two separate heroines named Periboia appear in Greek myth, and both are notable. The first was an Athenian girl of noble family who was among the tribute of youths sent to Crete for the Minotaur; she sailed on the same ship as Theseus and was saved when he killed the monster. The second and more prominent Periboia was the daughter of Alcathous of Megara, who became the second wife of Telamon, king of Salamis, and the mother of Ajax the Great. In the tradition of her marriage to Telamon, she was present when Heracles visited Telamon to recruit him for the expedition against Troy (the first sack, against Laomedon). Heracles prayed at the feast that Telamon's son would have the hide of the Nemean Lion — strong as the lion's skin — and Ajax was subsequently born with extraordinary toughness. Whether these Peribo-iai are one woman or two is debated by ancient sources themselves.
Parents
Alcathous (father, in main tradition)
Children
Ajax the Great (by Telamon)
Symbols
Fun Fact
The prayer Heracles made over Periboia's infant pregnancy — that the child would have the skin of the Nemean Lion — is the mythological explanation for why Ajax was nearly invulnerable in battle.
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