Pirithous

Mortal man

Pirithous (; Ancient Greek: Πειρίθοος or Πειρίθους, derived from περιθεῖν, perithein, 'to run around'; also transliterated as Perithous), in Greek mythology, was the King of the Lapiths of Larissa in Thessaly, as well as best friend to Theseus.

Explore on the graph
Mentions
5
Connected characters
24
Books
4
Pirithous. Peirithoos receiving the centaurs at his wedding — Naples MANN 9044
Peirithoos receiving the centaurs at his wedding — Naples MANN 9044 · Unknown Roman painterImage source CC BY-SA 4.0

Mentions in the Iliad

A. T. Murray, Loeb Classical Library, Harvard University Press, 1924 · Homer, Iliad with an English Translation · CC BY-SA 3.0 US

“and never did they despise me. Such warriors have I never since seen, nor shall I see, as Peirithous was and Dryas, shepherd of the people, and Caeneus and Exadius and godlike Polyphemus, and Theseus, son of Aegeus, a man like the immortals.”
Il. 1.260–264
“these again had as leader Polypoetes, staunch in fight, son of Peirithous, whom immortal Zeus begat— even him whom glorious Hippodameia conceived to Peirithous on the day when he got him vengeance on the shaggy centaurs, and thrust them forth from Pelium, and drave them to the Aethices.”
Il. 2.740–744
“for they deemed that they would no more be stayed of the Achaeans, but would fall upon the black ships—fools that they were! for at the gate they found two warriors most valiant, high-hearted sons of Lapith spearmen, the one stalwart Polypoetes, son of Peirithous,”
Il. 12.125–129
“all that were helpers of the Danaans in battle. And the Lapiths clashed in war and strife. Then the son of Peirithous, mighty Polypoetes, cast with his spear and smote Damasus through the helmet with cheek pieces of bronze;”
Il. 12.180–184
“for never yet did desire for goddess or mortal woman so shed itself about me and overmaster the heart within my breast—nay, not when I was seized with love of the wife of Ixion, who bare Peirithous, the peer of the gods in counsel; nor of Danaë of the fair ankles, daughter of Acrisius,”
Il. 14.315–319

Connections

Father · Sources
Father · Sources
these again had as leader Polypoetes, staunch in fight, son of Peirithous, whom immortal Zeus begat— even him whom glorious Hippodameia conceived to Peirithous on the day when he got him vengeance on the shaggy centaurs, and thrust them forth from Pelium, and drave them to the Aethices.
Il. 2.741
for never yet did desire for goddess or mortal woman so shed itself about me and overmaster the heart within my breast—nay, not when I was seized with love of the wife of Ixion, who bare Peirithous, the peer of the gods in counsel; nor of Danaë of the fair ankles, daughter of Acrisius,
Il. 14.318

Il. 2.741 · Il. 14.318

Mother · Sources
Mother · Sources

Описание прямо называет её матерью Пирифоя; 14.317–318: жена Иксиона родила Зевсу Пирифоя.

for never yet did desire for goddess or mortal woman so shed itself about me and overmaster the heart within my breast—nay, not when I was seized with love of the wife of Ixion, who bare Peirithous, the peer of the gods in counsel; nor of Danaë of the fair ankles, daughter of Acrisius,
Il. 14.317–318

Il. 14.317–318

Brother through father · Sources
Brother through father · Sources

Братство или сестринство выведено из общего родителя: Зевс. Матери и отцы, не указанные в источнике, не предполагаются. Квалификация братства/сестринства: Илиада: Общий отец подтверждён; сведения о матерях неполны. Различие матерей не установлено. Общие родители: Зевс.

Wikidata: Гера — роль родителя · P25 Wikidata: Зевс — роль родителя · P22 Wikidata: Зевс — пол родителя · P21
these again had as leader Polypoetes, staunch in fight, son of Peirithous, whom immortal Zeus begat— even him whom glorious Hippodameia conceived to Peirithous on the day when he got him vengeance on the shaggy centaurs, and thrust them forth from Pelium, and drave them to the Aethices.
Il. 2.741
took furious Ares by the hand and spake to him, saying: Ares, Ares, thou bane of mortals, thou blood-stained stormer of walls, shall we not now leave the Trojans and Achaeans to fight, to whichsoever of the two it be that father Zeus shall vouchsafe glory? But for us twain, let us give place, and avoid the wrath of Zeus.
Il. 5.33
Howbeit I will no longer endure that thou shouldest be in pain, for thou art mine offspring, and it was to me that thy mother bare thee; but wert thou born of any other god, thus pestilent as thou art, then long ere this hadst thou been lower than the sons of heaven. He spake, and bade Paeëon heal his hurt;
Il. 5.896

Il. 2.741 · Il. 5.33 · Il. 5.896 · Il. 14.318

Brother through father · Sources
Brother through father · Sources

Братство или сестринство выведено из общего родителя: Зевс. Матери и отцы, не указанные в источнике, не предполагаются. Квалификация братства/сестринства: Илиада: Общий отец подтверждён; сведения о матерях неполны. Различие матерей не установлено. Общие родители: Зевс.

Wikidata: Зевс — пол родителя · P21
these again had as leader Polypoetes, staunch in fight, son of Peirithous, whom immortal Zeus begat— even him whom glorious Hippodameia conceived to Peirithous on the day when he got him vengeance on the shaggy centaurs, and thrust them forth from Pelium, and drave them to the Aethices.
Il. 2.741
And when they were come near as they advanced one against the other, the son and grandson of Zeus the cloud-gatherer, then Tlepolemus was first to speak, saying: Sarpedon, counsellor of the Lycians, why must thou be skulking here, that art a man unskilled in battle?They speak but a lie that say thou art sprung from Zeus that beareth the aegis, seeing thou art inferior far to those warriors that were sprung from Zeus in the days of men of old. Of other sort, men say, was mighty Heracles, my father, staunch in fight, the lionhearted,
Il. 5.634–635
And Tlepolemus smote Sarpedon upon the left thigh with his long spear, and the point sped through furiously and grazed the bone; howbeit his father as yet warded from him destruction. Then his goodly companions bare godlike Sarpedon forth from out the fight, and the long spear burdened him sore,as it trailed, but no man marked it or thought in their haste to draw forth from his thigh the spear of ash, that he might stand upon his feet; such toil had they in tending him. And on the other side the well-greaved Achaeans bare Tlepolemus from out the fight, and goodly Odysseusof the enduring soul was ware of it, and his spirit waxed furious within him; and he pondered then in heart and soul whether he should pursue further after the son of Zeus that thundereth aloud, or should rather take the lives of more Lycians. But not for great-hearted Odysseus was it ordained
Il. 5.662–672

Il. 2.741 · Il. 5.634–635 · Il. 5.662–672 · Il. 5.675 · Il. 6.198–199 · Il. 12.292 · Il. 12.402–403 · Il. 14.318 · Il. 15.67 · Il. 16.522

Brother through father · Sources
Brother through father · Sources

Братство или сестринство выведено из общего родителя: Зевс. Матери и отцы, не указанные в источнике, не предполагаются. Квалификация братства/сестринства: Илиада: Общий отец подтверждён; сведения о матерях неполны. Различие матерей не установлено. Общие родители: Зевс.

Wikidata: Зевс — пол родителя · P21 Wikidata: Лето — роль родителя · P25 Wikidata: Зевс — роль родителя · P22
from the time when first they parted in strife Atreus' son, king of men, and brilliant Achilles. Who then of the gods was it that brought these two together to contend? The son of Leto and Zeus; for he in anger against the king roused throughout the host an evil pestilence, and the people began to perish,
Il. 1.9
these again had as leader Polypoetes, staunch in fight, son of Peirithous, whom immortal Zeus begat— even him whom glorious Hippodameia conceived to Peirithous on the day when he got him vengeance on the shaggy centaurs, and thrust them forth from Pelium, and drave them to the Aethices.
Il. 2.741
to sacred Ilios. And Apollo sped forth to meet her, for he looked down from out of Pergamus and beheld her, and was fain to have victory for the Trojans. So the twain met one with the other by the oak-tree. Then to her spake first the king Apollo, son of Zeus: Wherefore art thou again come thus eagerly from Olympus, thou daughter of great Zeus,
Il. 7.23

Il. 1.9 · Il. 2.741 · Il. 7.23 · Il. 14.318 · Il. 15.236 · Il. 20.103 · Il. 21.229 · Il. 22.302

Sister through father · Sources
Sister through father · Sources

Братство или сестринство выведено из общего родителя: Зевс. Матери и отцы, не указанные в источнике, не предполагаются. Квалификация братства/сестринства: Илиада: Общий отец подтверждён; сведения о матерях неполны. Различие матерей не установлено. Общие родители: Зевс.

Гомер, Илиада — роль родителя · Ил. 3.236–238 Wikidata: Зевс — роль родителя · P22 Wikidata: Зевс — пол родителя · P21
these again had as leader Polypoetes, staunch in fight, son of Peirithous, whom immortal Zeus begat— even him whom glorious Hippodameia conceived to Peirithous on the day when he got him vengeance on the shaggy centaurs, and thrust them forth from Pelium, and drave them to the Aethices.
Il. 2.741
His battle-gear lieth upon the bounteous earth, but himself he rangeth like the bell-wether of a herd through the ranks of warriors. Like a ram he seemeth to me, a ram of thick fleece, that paceth through a great flock of white ewes. To him made answer Helen, sprung from Zeus:
Il. 3.199
and hate thee, even as now I love thee wondrously; and lest I devise grievous hatred between both, Trojans alike and Danaans; then wouldst thou perish of an evil fate. So spake she, and Helen, sprung from Zeus, was seized with fear; and she went, wrapping herself in her bright shining mantle,
Il. 3.418

Il. 2.741 · Il. 3.199 · Il. 3.418 · Il. 14.318

Brother through father · Sources
Brother through father · Sources

Братство или сестринство выведено из общего родителя: Зевс. Матери и отцы, не указанные в источнике, не предполагаются. Квалификация братства/сестринства: Илиада: Общий отец подтверждён; сведения о матерях неполны. Различие матерей не установлено. Общие родители: Зевс.

Wikidata: Зевс — пол родителя · P21
these again had as leader Polypoetes, staunch in fight, son of Peirithous, whom immortal Zeus begat— even him whom glorious Hippodameia conceived to Peirithous on the day when he got him vengeance on the shaggy centaurs, and thrust them forth from Pelium, and drave them to the Aethices.
Il. 2.741
And so suffered monstrous Hades even as the rest a bitter arrow, when this same man, the son of Zeus that beareth the aegis, smote him in Pylos amid the dead, and gave him over to pains. But he went to the house of Zeus and to high Olympus with grief at heart, pierced through with pains;
Il. 5.396
howbeit mine own father rageth with evil mind, cruel that he is, ever froward, a thwarter of my purposes; neither hath he any memory of this, that full often I saved his son when he was fordone by reason of Eurystheus' tasks. For verily he would make lament toward heaven and from heaven would Zeussend me forth to succour him. Had I but known all this in wisdom of my heart when Eurystheus sent him forth to the house of Hades the Warder, to bring from out of Erebus the hound of loathed Hades, then had he not escaped the sheer-falling waters of Styx.
Il. 8.363–365

Il. 2.741 · Il. 5.396 · Il. 8.363–365 · Il. 14.266 · Il. 14.318 · Il. 14.324

See all 24

In art

Alcamenes. Apollon of Olympia. Archaeological Museum of Olympia. CC BY-SA 2.0. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q618903

Angélique Mongez. Тесей и Пирифой. Arkhangelskoye Estate Museum. Public domain. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q117011389

Angélique Mongez. Theseus and Pirithoüs Clearing the Earth of Brigands, Deliver Two Women from the Hands of their Abductors. Minneapolis Institute of Art. Public domain. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q117010259

Photograph / reproduction: Angélique Mongez

Photograph / reproduction date: 1806

Irelli-Aoyagi-De Caro-Pappalardo 244c. Naples National Archaeological Museum. CC BY-SA 3.0. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q126373891

Sources and verification

The character is matched to the catalogue.

Wikidata Q502156

Reference material remains distinct from the poem’s assertions. Characters who share a name retain separate pages.