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Greek Mythology Notes

Sthenelus of Argos

🗡 heroΣθένελος
war

Son of Capaneus and charioteer of Diomedes at Troy, one of the Epigoni who avenged their fathers at ‍​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‍​‍​‍​‍​‍​‌​‍​‍​‌​‌​‍​‍​‌​‌​‍​‌​‌​‌​‍​‍​‌​‍​‍Thebes.

The Legend of Sthenelus of Argos

He succeeded where his father spectacularly failed — Capaneus was struck by Zeus attacking Thebes, but Sthenelus helped raze it a generation later.‍​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‍​‍​‍​‍​‍​‌​‍​‍​‌​‌​‍​‍​‌​‌​‍​‌​‌​‌​‍​‍​‌​‍​‍ As one of the Epigoni, the sons who completed the siege their fathers died attempting, Sthenelus proved the bloodline by helping sack Thebes. At Troy, he served as Diomedes's charioteer and closest companion, the steadying presence behind the most aggressive Greek fighter after Achilles. When Diomedes wounded both Ares and Aphrodite with Athena's help, it was Sthenelus who drove the chariot. Homer makes him boastful but competent — he claims the Epigoni were greater than their fathers.

Parents

Capaneus, Evadne

Symbols

chariotwhip

Fun Fact

The Epigoni succeeded because they listened to oracles their fathers had ignored.

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