Automedon

For the incident involving the WWII merchant Automedon, see German auxiliary cruiser Atlantis. For the ancient Greek poet, see Automedon (poet).

In Greek mythology, Automedon (Greek: Αὐτομέδων, -οντος), son of Diores, was Achilles' charioteer. In Homer's Iliad, he rides into battle once Patroclus has donned Achilles's armor, commanding Achilles' horses Balius and Xanthos. After Patroclus's death, Automedon is driven to the rear of the battle, where he attempts to console the bereaved horses. Zeus finally intervenes, and Automedon resumes driving the chariot, but can not aid the Achaeans until Alcimidon agrees to be his driver. He repels an attempt on his life by Hector, Aeneas, Chromios, and Aretos, killing Aretos and taking his armor in the process. He also appears in the Aeneid at line 477 of Book II, when the Greek forces break into the palace of Priam.

Sources

• Homer. Iliad, XVI, 145; XVII, 429; XIX; XXIII; XIV.

This article relating to Greek mythology is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. v • d • e