Lycomedes

The name Lycomedes /ˌlaɪkəˈmiːdiːz/ (Ancient Greek: Λυκομήδης) may refer to several characters in Greek mythology, of whom the most prominent was the king of Scyros during the Trojan War.

Lycomedes of Scyros

Lycomedes (also known as Lycurgus) was a king of the Dolopians in the island of Scyros near Euboea, father of a number of daughters including Deidameia, and grandfather of Pyrrhus or Neoptolemus.

Lycomedes and Achilles

At the request of Thetis, Lycomedes concealed Achilles in female disguise among his own daughters. At Lycomedes' court Achilles had an affair with Deidamia, which resulted in the birth of Neoptolemus (Pyrrhus). As Odysseus drew Achilles out of his disguise and took him to Troy, Neoptolemus stayed with his grandfather until he too was summoned during the later stages of the war.

Lycomedes and Theseus

Plutarch says that Lycomedes killed Theseus who had fled to his island in exile by pushing him off a cliff for he feared that Theseus would dethrone him, as people of the island treated the guest with marked honor. Some related that the cause of this violence was that Lycomedes would not give up the estates which Theseus had in Scyros, or the circumstance that Lycomedes wanted to gain the favour of Menestheus.

Lycomedes of Mantinea

Lycomedes (died 366 BC) was a Mantinean politician who led the effort to found the Arcadian League in 371 and 370 BC, and was the dominant political figure of that league until his death in 366 BC; John Fine has described him as the most effective leader of the league.Xenophon records that he won the support of the Arcadians by reminding them that they were the only autochthonous people of the Peloponnese, and by praising their bravery and strength. Throughout his career, he supported policies intended to free Arcadia from dependence on outside forces.

In 366 BC, Lycomedes persuaded the Arcadians to seek an alliance with Athens, attempting to balance the strength of Thebes. Lycomedes was sent to Athens to negotiate this alliance; during his return, his ship landed at a spot where a number of Arcadian exiles were living. Lycomedes was then killed by these exiles.

References

Lycomedes (son of Creon)

Lycomedes (Λυκομήδης) was a son of Creon, and fought on the side of the Argives in the Trojan War. No real significant background is given about him in the Iliad. He is listed among the younger leaders and was not a King but of second rank. He stands guard at nighttime in Book IX at the Greek wall. When Telamonian Ajax and Teucer had to leave their position on Hector's assault on the wall to deal with Sarpedon's division Aias ordered Lykomedes to help Ajax the lesser to help deal with Hector's press. He also continued in action when Hector and the Trojan forces broke through the Greek wall.