Diomedes: The Hero Who Wounded Gods

Diomedes' Early Life and Rise to Power

Diomedes' story begins with a lineage steeped in adventure and heroics. Born to Tydeus, an Aetolian hero, and Deipyle, the daughter of King Adrastus of Argos, Diomedes had a privileged upbringing. Tydeus, known for his adventurous spirit, was one of the famous 'Seven Against Thebes,' a group of warriors who stirred up trouble.

Tragically, Tydeus perished during the expedition, leaving young Diomedes to take up the mantle. He joined the Epigoni, a group of sons determined to avenge their fathers' deaths against Thebes. Driven by duty and perseverance, Diomedes emerged victorious. Not content with just avenging his father, he embarked on a mission to help his oppressed grandfather, Oeneus, reclaim the throne of Calydon.

Diomedes cemented his right to rule by marrying his cousin Aegialia, solidifying his claim to the throne of Argos. When his old friend Agamemnon called for war, Diomedes joined without hesitation.

However, upon returning from the Trojan War, Diomedes found his wife had been unfaithful, likely due to Aphrodite's cosmic revenge. Ousted from Argos, he ventured to Italy, where he defied fate by founding cities and reconciling with old Trojan adversaries.

Diomedes' early life was a perfect storm of family glory, personal valor, and high drama. From avenging his father to reclaiming thrones and navigating marital drama orchestrated by gods, the journey of the son of Tydeus was anything but boring.

Diomedes in the Trojan War

Diomedes' role in the Trojan War was nothing short of legendary. He commanded a fleet of 80 ships, a testament to his leadership and the trust his warriors had in his abilities.

On the battlefield, Diomedes was a force to be reckoned with. In the Iliad, Homer describes him as the Greeks' finest fighter next to Achilles, especially in Book V. Blessed with divine strength from Athena, Diomedes created chaos wherever he went. He even dared to wound Aphrodite with a spear thrust to her delicate wrist and took on Ares, the god of war himself, sending the invincible Olympian packing.¹

Diomedes was as cunning as he was strong. Teaming up with Odysseus, he engaged in covert operations that dealt crucial blows to the Trojans:

• Disguised as beggars, they infiltrated and stole the Palladium, a statue ensuring Troy's safety.
• They conducted a night raid on the Thracian camp, eliminating King Rhesus and stealing his divine horses, which were prophesied to make Troy invincible if they joined the Trojan side.

Even in the midst of war, Diomedes embodied leadership and respect. He fought alongside his men, rallying the Greeks when morale was low. In a heartwarming moment, he encountered Glaucus on the battlefield, only to realize they shared a familial bond of hospitality between their ancestors. Instead of fighting, they exchanged armor as a show of respect.

Diomedes also had a controversial spat with Achilles over Thersites, Diomedes' cousin. When Achilles killed Thersites for mocking him, Diomedes was angered. Although nearly pushed to single combat with Achilles out of familial duty, cooler heads prevailed, thanks to divine and mortal intervention.

Diomedes was the ally you'd want on your side—god-wounding, strategy-busting, and Trojan-terrorizing. Despite Aphrodite's vendetta and his eventual exile, the legacy he carved out on the Trojan fields was nothing less than extraordinary.

The Divine Favor of Athena

Diomedes' connection with Athena was like having the ultimate ally—an otherworldly force that tilted the scales in his favor. Athena, the goddess of wisdom and warfare, seemed to have a special fondness for Diomedes, perhaps seeing in him a blend of wisdom, strategic brilliance, and raw courage.

When Achilles took a break from the battle, the Greeks needed a new leader to step up. Enter Diomedes, fueled by Athena's divine energy. In Book V of the Iliad, Athena infused Diomedes with her power, turning him into an unstoppable force. She even granted him the ability to discern gods from mortals on the battlefield, like a divine lens that allowed him to aim for Aphrodite's wrist with precision.

Athena didn't stop there. She gave Diomedes the green light to engage with depowered gods, telling him to go ahead and strike Aphrodite, but to avoid the more powerful deities. True to her word, Diomedes lobbed his spear and wounded Aphrodite, proving that even gods can feel pain.

When Ares, the god of war, joined the battle to assist the Trojans, Athena stepped in. She drove Diomedes' chariot like a pro, directing his spear straight into Ares' unguarded bowels. The war god howled in pain and retreated to Olympus, humbled by a mortal's divinely-backed might.²

Diomedes' ability to spot and wound gods was a game-changer. It showed that with Athena's support, mortals could stand up to divine beings and make a significant impact. Athena's favor wasn't just about physical battles; it also shaped Diomedes into a leader with strategic savvy. Together with Odysseus, Diomedes covertly snatched the Palladium, disabling Troy's divine protection.

Athena's interventions were more than mere assists; they were badges of honor. Wounding a god and living to tell the tale was the stuff of legends. Diomedes didn't just survive; he thrived, turning battlefields into canvases splashed with mythic feats. Every time his spear met divine flesh, every ounce of Athena-infused strength he wielded, it sent a powerful message: that with wisdom and valor, mortals could hold their own against the gods.

In Diomedes, we see a human graced by a goddess not just as a tool of war, but as a symbol of resilience. Battling gods is no small feat, and doing so with Athena's audacious support made Diomedes a legendary figure. He wasn't just spearing through Trojans; he was piercing through the very limitations of mortal potential, proving that with divine favor, anything was possible.

The Theft of the Palladium

Diomedes and Odysseus soon faced their biggest challenge yet: the theft of the Palladium. The Palladium was more than just a statue of Athena; it was the mystical linchpin holding Troy's defenses together. Ancient prophecy declared that as long as the Palladium remained within Troy's walls, the city would stay protected. The Greeks knew that toppling this Trojan fortress wasn't just about brute force; some divine finesse was needed.

Their mission: infiltrate and nab the Palladium. With their armor exchanged for beggar's rags, these heroes slipped into Troy under the guise of anonymity. Traversing the labyrinthine streets of Troy—dodging patrols, slipping past guards—they fixed their steely gaze on the Palladium. This wasn't just a sneak-and-grab; any slip-up meant instant death or worse, capture by the Trojans.

Upon reaching the sacred chamber, Diomedes and Odysseus showed why they were the mythic power couple. Diomedes, known for his courage, stayed vigilant while Odysseus' quick fingers did the delicate work. It was a blend of brawn meeting brains, perfectly synced.

They secured the Palladium, and with it, Troy's security blanket went out the window. The heist meant that Troy was now vulnerable, practically begging to be conquered.

But wait, the story doesn't end with a clean getaway. On their way back, Odysseus, ever the ambitious one, tried to off Diomedes to claim sole credit. Diomedes wasn't one to be easily outplayed. Managing to fend off Odysseus's treachery, he lessened the tension, and the duo managed to get the Palladium safely to their camp. In true hero fashion, Diomedes brushed off Odysseus's lapse in bromance to keep the bigger picture in sight.

This daring escapade wasn't just a theft; it was a turning point. The moral of the epic tale? Trust no one—not even your closest ally in times of divine larceny. Their successful mission laid the groundwork for the Greeks' eventual victory and the famous Trojan Horse gambit. Without the Palladium, Troy's defenses were compromised, their morale shaken, and the tides of war shifted. It became clear that the end of Troy was nigh.

And so, with the theft of the Palladium, Diomedes and Odysseus ensured their names would be etched alongside the gods. The mission was a blend of cunning, bravery, and raw guts. It was the legend that carved their names into the annals of myth and history, proving that sometimes, the stealthy swipe of a statue can roar louder than any battlefield brawl.

Diomedes' Return and Later Life

The aftermath of the Trojan War was never a simple "happily ever after" for Diomedes. He returned to Argos only to face betrayal. His wife, Aegialia, had been unfaithful, dealing Diomedes a blow that no Trojan sword could match. This wasn't just marital strife; it was Aphrodite's cosmic payback for the wound he'd given her on the battlefield.

With his throne under threat, Diomedes had no choice but to leave for safer pastures. Those pastures happened to be in Italy, and thus a new chapter of his legend began.

Landing in Italy, Diomedes found himself welcomed by King Daunus. It wasn't long before Diomedes threw himself into the usual hero activities: slaying enemies, winning wars, and generally being an all-around superstar. When Daunus rewarded the hero with land and his daughter Euippe, Diomedes started a profitable side gig in city founding. He founded several cities across Italy:

• Argyripa (later known as Arpi)
• Beneventum
• Venusia (Venosa)
• Salapia
• Brundusium (Brindisi)

Now, while Diomedes was planting new roots, something incredible happened. Despite all the past stabbings and sackings, he managed to strike a surprising peace with the Trojans. Maybe it was all the fresh Italian air putting folks in a forgiving mood, but Diomedes achieved what few could: reconciliation with his former foes.

Diomedes' later life saw him balancing heroics and statesmanship. Italy became not just a sanctuary but a stage where he performed some of his best acts. The legacy of this city-founding, peace-brokering phase of his life was more than just historical: it was mythological.

Even in death, Diomedes wasn't one to be easily forgotten. Revered as a semi-divine figure, he was honored in both Italy and Greece. Statues, paintings, and tales of his exploits became fixtures in sacred spaces, serving as eternal reminders of his extraordinary life journey. Some sources even say Athena granted him immortality, further cementing his mythic status.¹

So here ends the remarkable tale of Diomedes—not with a whimper but with a cascade of new beginnings, reconciliations, and immortal renown. Betrayal and divine vendettas couldn't dampen his spirit. Instead, they fueled a legend that spanned beyond the Peloponnesus, venturing into foreign lands where even his fiercest foes became allies.

Legacy and Worship of Diomedes

Diomedes left an indelible mark from the Peloponnesus to the Italian peninsula and beyond. The cities he founded, like Argyripa (later known as Arpi), went on to become significant city-states, echoing their founder's resilience and strategic brilliance. With every brick laid and statue erected, Diomedes imprinted his name into the heart and soul of Italy.

The Greeks and Romans immortalized him through intricate sculptures and striking paintings, often depicting him in dynamic poses, reminding everyone of his legendary feats. Notable artworks featuring Diomedes include:

• A painting of Diomedes clutching the Palladium on the Acropolis in Athens
• An artistic rendition in Delphi paying homage to his heroic deeds

Diomedes also leaped from the chisel and brush right into literature. Homer's Iliad brings him to life as a powerhouse warrior, nearly stealing the show from Achilles himself. Quintus Smyrnaeus's "Posthomerica" continues his tale, painting a fuller picture of his endeavors and struggles post-Iliad. Even Virgil's "Aeneid" tips its hat to Diomedes, acknowledging him as a formidable force who haunted the Trojans' nightmares long after the war's end.

Worship-wise, Diomedes skyrocketed from hero to semi-divine status. Italian cities like Argyrippa, Metapontum, and Thurii boasted statues and temples dedicated to him. In Luceria, his armor was preserved in a temple of Athena, a nod to the goddess who had granted him unparalleled favor and strength. According to some sources, Athena decided that Diomedes deserved a seat among the stars.²

In Greece, Diomedes was honored in ceremonies and artworks that celebrated his physical feats, wisdom, and leadership. He became a symbol of strength fused with strategy, a mortal who dared to rise above and engage with the divine.

Through everything—his war heroics, city-building feats, artistic depictions, and worship—Diomedes transcended the mortal coil. He wasn't just a name in a dusty scroll; he was a living, breathing legend, inspiring warriors and dreamers alike. His life reminds us that true valor isn't just about facing your enemies; it's about creating a lasting legacy that echoes through the annals of time.