Theoclymenus

In Greek mythology, Theoclymenus /ˌθiəˈklɪmɪnəs/ (Θεοκλύμενος) was a prophet from Argos.

Family

Theoclymenus was the son of Polypheides and Aechme, daughter of Haemon, and brother of Harmonides.[1] In some accounts, his parents were Thestor and possibly Polymele,[2] and thus, the brother of Leucippe, Theonoe and Calchas.[3]

Mythology

In the Odyssey, had been taken from that city after killing one of his relatives being captured by pirates. He fled to Pylos and sought refuge aboard the ship of Telemachus, who had come to inquire about the fate of his father, Odysseus. Telemachus obliged, and Theoclymenus accompanied him back to Ithaca. There Theoclymenus read the auspices of the birds, interpreting them to mean that Telemachus would become head of the royal house of Ithaca. He also prophesied that Odysseus was already in Ithaca, disguised and watching as events unfolded. When he told Penelope of these signs, she did not believe him. Later, at dinner, he had a vision of the death of the suitors, but they laughed at his predictions, not knowing they would indeed be killed that night.[4]

Theoclymenos is also the name of the king of Egypt in Euripides' play Helen.

References

1. Cited in scholia on Homer, Odyssey, 15. p. 213
2. Tzetzes, Homeric Allegories, Prologue, 639
3. Hyginus, Fabulae, 190