Periclymenos
Grandson of Poseidon who could change shape at will and sailed with the Argonauts
The Legend of Periclymenos
Periclymenos was the son of Neleus and grandson of Poseidon, and the god of the sea granted him the extraordinary gift of shape-shifting. He could transform himself into any creature he wished, whether eagle, lion, serpent, or bee. He sailed with Jason and the Argonauts, where his transformative powers proved useful during the many dangers of the voyage. Periclymenos was also one of the defenders of Pylos when Heracles attacked the city. During that battle, Periclymenos used his shape-shifting to harass Heracles, transforming into an eagle and then a bee. However, Athena revealed his disguise to Heracles, who shot him down with an arrow while he was in the form of an insect. His death left Nestor as the sole surviving son of Neleus.
Parents
Neleus and Chloris
Symbols
Fun Fact
Periclymenos could become any living creature but was killed by Heracles while disguised as a bee
Explore Further
Periclymenus
🗡 heroshapeshifting
Grandson of Poseidon and defender of Pylos who could shapeshift into any animal but was killed by Heracles with Athena's help.
Peleus
🗡 heroheroism
King of Phthia, Argonaut, and father of Achilles who wrestled the shape-shifting sea goddess Thetis to win her as his bride.
Arcas
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Eponymous founder and king of Arcadia who was nearly tricked into eating his own transformed mother
Theseus
🗡 heroFounder-hero of Athens
Theseus was the great hero of Athens who slew the Minotaur, united Attica, and established Athenian democracy — Athens' answer to Heracles.
Alcyone
🗡 heroLove, transformation, birds
Queen of Trachis who was transformed into a kingfisher bird alongside her devoted husband Ceyx
Caenus
🗡 heroTransformation, Invulnerability, Gender
Lapith warrior transformed from a woman into an invulnerable man by Poseidon, killed by Centaurs pounding him into the earth.
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.
Mestra
🗡 heroshapeshifting
Daughter of Erysichthon who was given the power of shapeshifting by Poseidon, sold repeatedly by her starving father.
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.
Jason
🗡 heroLeader of the Argonauts
The hero who assembled the Argonauts and sailed to Colchis to retrieve the Golden Fleece, aided by Medea's sorcery.
Ceyx and Alcyone
🗡 herotransformation
King and queen who loved each other so deeply the gods transformed them into kingfisher birds to be together after death.
Abas
🗡 heroKingship, warfare
King of Argos renowned as a fierce warrior whose very shield could terrify enemies