Sarpédon
heroSarpedon was a son of Zeus and the greatest Lycian warrior at Troy — his death forced Zeus to confront the limits of even divine power.
The Myth
Zeus loved his son Sarpedon but could not save him from fate. When Sarpedon faced Patroclus, Zeus considered snatching him from battle, but Hera warned this would set a dangerous precedent — every god would want to save their favourites. Zeus wept tears of blood but let Sarpedon die. He sent Thanatos and Hypnos to carry the body home to Lycia for burial. This scene — a father's grief overruled by cosmic order — is one of the Iliad's most powerful moments.
Symbols
Fun Fact
Zeus weeping tears of blood for a son he cannot save is the Iliad's most devastating image of divine limitation.
Explore Further
Europa
heroEuropa was the Phoenician princess whom Zeus, in the form of a white bull, carried across the sea...
Hera
godQueen of the Olympian gods and goddess of marriage. Known for her jealous rages against Zeus's...
Hypnos
conceptThe gentle god of sleep and twin brother of Thanatos (Death). Hypnos dwelt in a dark cave where no...
Patroclus
heroPatroclus was Achilles' closest companion whose death in borrowed armour at Hector's hands was the...
Thanatos
conceptThe god and personification of peaceful death, twin brother of Hypnos (Sleep). Thanatos was not...
Zeus
godSupreme ruler of the Olympian gods and lord of the sky. Zeus overthrew his father Kronos and...