Dolon
Encyclopedia
In Greek mythology
, Dolon (Greek
: Δόλων, gen.: Δόλωνος) fought for Troy
during the Trojan War
.
, and has 5 daughters. Considered a fast runner, after a request by Hector in which all the Trojan men are called together, Dolon volunteers to spy on the Greek ships and check whether or not the Greeks are still guarding them, and if so, how. In exchange Hector offers the horses and bronze chariot of Achilles
as his prize at the end of the war. Fearing deceit, Dolon demands that Hector swears to fulfill the promised reward. Dolon departs wearing a wolf skin and a weasel cap in order to blend in to his surroundings. His plan was to deceive the Greeks by walking on all fours. By chance, he is spotted by Odysseus
and Diomedes
while they are on a secret raid to plunder the Trojans. The Greek warriors see Dolon coming and hide themselves in the bodies of the dead so that Dolon can't see them. Diomedes chases Dolon down with help from Athena and Dolon begs for his life, telling the two warriors that he is worth a valuable ransom because his father, Eumedes, is very wealthy. Odysseus says he won't kill Dolon if he tells the two of them why he was spying on the Greeks. Dolon tells Odysseus everything he wants to know, including his potential prize, before Odysseus
explains to him that he has been tricked by Hector: only Achilles can control the horses that he was to receive. Dolon then tells the two Greeks which Trojan allies are living in which tent and what their strengths are. After he tells the two all the information that they wanted he is decapitated by Diomedes before the two head off into the Trojan camp to wreak havoc, slaying Rhesus
, king of Thrace, and stealing his valuable horses. His son Eumedes
, named after Dolon's father, survived the Trojan War to later fight and die under the command of Aeneas
in Italy.
Greek mythology
Greek mythology is the body of myths and legends belonging to the ancient Greeks, concerning their gods and heroes, the nature of the world, and the origins and significance of their own cult and ritual practices. They were a part of religion in ancient Greece...
, Dolon (Greek
Greek language
Greek is an independent branch of the Indo-European family of languages. Native to the southern Balkans, it has the longest documented history of any Indo-European language, spanning 34 centuries of written records. Its writing system has been the Greek alphabet for the majority of its history;...
: Δόλων, gen.: Δόλωνος) fought for Troy
Troy
Troy was a city, both factual and legendary, located in northwest Anatolia in what is now Turkey, southeast of the Dardanelles and beside Mount Ida...
during the Trojan War
Trojan War
In Greek mythology, the Trojan War was waged against the city of Troy by the Achaeans after Paris of Troy took Helen from her husband Menelaus, the king of Sparta. The war is among the most important events in Greek mythology and was narrated in many works of Greek literature, including the Iliad...
.
Dolon's Night Mission in Homer's Iliad
Dolon is the father of EumedesEumedes
Eumedes was a name attributed to seven individuals in Greek mythology.*Eumedes was a famous herald among the Trojans. He was the father of Dolon and of five daughters....
, and has 5 daughters. Considered a fast runner, after a request by Hector in which all the Trojan men are called together, Dolon volunteers to spy on the Greek ships and check whether or not the Greeks are still guarding them, and if so, how. In exchange Hector offers the horses and bronze chariot of Achilles
Achilles
In Greek mythology, Achilles was a Greek hero of the Trojan War, the central character and the greatest warrior of Homer's Iliad.Plato named Achilles the handsomest of the heroes assembled against Troy....
as his prize at the end of the war. Fearing deceit, Dolon demands that Hector swears to fulfill the promised reward. Dolon departs wearing a wolf skin and a weasel cap in order to blend in to his surroundings. His plan was to deceive the Greeks by walking on all fours. By chance, he is spotted by Odysseus
Odysseus
Odysseus or Ulysses was a legendary Greek king of Ithaca and the hero of Homer's epic poem the Odyssey. Odysseus also plays a key role in Homer's Iliad and other works in the Epic Cycle....
and Diomedes
Diomedes
Diomedes or Diomed is a hero in Greek mythology, known for his participation in the Trojan War.He was born to Tydeus and Deipyle and later became King of Argos, succeeding his maternal grandfather, Adrastus. In Homer's Iliad Diomedes is regarded alongside Ajax as one of the best warriors of all...
while they are on a secret raid to plunder the Trojans. The Greek warriors see Dolon coming and hide themselves in the bodies of the dead so that Dolon can't see them. Diomedes chases Dolon down with help from Athena and Dolon begs for his life, telling the two warriors that he is worth a valuable ransom because his father, Eumedes, is very wealthy. Odysseus says he won't kill Dolon if he tells the two of them why he was spying on the Greeks. Dolon tells Odysseus everything he wants to know, including his potential prize, before Odysseus
Odysseus
Odysseus or Ulysses was a legendary Greek king of Ithaca and the hero of Homer's epic poem the Odyssey. Odysseus also plays a key role in Homer's Iliad and other works in the Epic Cycle....
explains to him that he has been tricked by Hector: only Achilles can control the horses that he was to receive. Dolon then tells the two Greeks which Trojan allies are living in which tent and what their strengths are. After he tells the two all the information that they wanted he is decapitated by Diomedes before the two head off into the Trojan camp to wreak havoc, slaying Rhesus
Rhesus
Rhesus can refer to any of the following:* Rhesus of Thrace, a king in Greek mythology* S. Vivianus Rhesus, a Roman governor of Thrace* In Greek mythology, a river-god, son of Oceanus and Tethys...
, king of Thrace, and stealing his valuable horses. His son Eumedes
Eumedes
Eumedes was a name attributed to seven individuals in Greek mythology.*Eumedes was a famous herald among the Trojans. He was the father of Dolon and of five daughters....
, named after Dolon's father, survived the Trojan War to later fight and die under the command of Aeneas
Aeneas
Aeneas , in Greco-Roman mythology, was a Trojan hero, the son of the prince Anchises and the goddess Aphrodite. His father was the second cousin of King Priam of Troy, making Aeneas Priam's second cousin, once removed. The journey of Aeneas from Troy , which led to the founding a hamlet south of...
in Italy.