Podalirius
heroSon of Asclepius and Greek physician at Troy who specialized in internal medicine while his brother Machaon was the surgeon.
The Myth
He diagnosed Ajax's madness from his eyes alone — making him the first psychiatrist in Western literature. Podalirius and his brother Machaon were the physicians of the Greek army, both sons of Asclepius. After Machaon was killed by Eurypylus, Podalirius became sole healer. He was said to have recognized Ajax the Great's suicidal rage by reading his gaze and gait, but arrived too late to intervene. After the war, a storm drove him to Caria where he healed a princess and married her. Asclepius had taught both sons, but Podalirius inherited the diagnostic gift — the ability to see disease before it manifested externally.
Parents
Asclepius, Epione
Symbols
Fun Fact
Podalirius is considered one of the earliest literary depictions of a physician diagnosing mental illness.
Explore Further
Asclepius (God)
godAsclepius began as a mortal hero trained by Chiron who became so skilled at medicine that he could...
Ajax (Madness)
heroAjax the Great's descent into madness and suicide after losing the contest for Achilles's armor to...
Ajax the Great
heroAjax son of Telamon was the tallest and strongest of the Greek warriors at Troy, a tower of a man...
Ajax the Lesser
heroAjax son of Oileus was a fast, fierce, impious warrior whose assault on Cassandra in Athena's...
Asclepius
heroThe legendary physician who could cure any illness and even raise the dead. Son of Apollo, his...
Eurypylus of Mysia
heroSon of Telephus who led a Mysian army to Troy as the last major reinforcement and was killed by...
Machaon
heroSon of Asclepius and chief surgeon of the Greek army at Troy, killed by Eurypylus son of Telephus.
Ajax (Shield)
conceptAjax's shield was a massive tower shield of seven ox-hides layered with bronze — the largest...
Troy
placeThe legendary city in Asia Minor besieged by the Greeks for ten years in the Trojan War. Troy's...
Troy (Hisarlik)
placeHisarlik in Turkey is the archaeological site identified as Homer's Troy — multiple cities layered...
Absyrtus
heroSon of King Aeetes of Colchis, murdered and dismembered by his sister Medea to slow their father's...
Acastus
heroKing of Iolcus and Argonaut who later tried to murder Peleus by stranding him unarmed on Mount...