Automedon

For other uses, see Automedon (poet) and SS Automedon.

In Greek mythology, Automedon (/ɔːˈtɒmɪdən/; Ancient Greek: Αὐτομέδων), son of Diores,^[1] was Achilles' charioteer, who drove the immortal horses Balius and Xanthos.^[2] He was born on the island of Skyros.^[3]

Henri Regnault: Automedon with the Horses of Achilles (1868)

Mythology

In Homer's Iliad, Automedon rides into battle once Patroclus dons Achilles's armor, commanding Achilles' horses Balius and Xanthos. After Patroclus dies, Automedon is driven to the rear of the battle, where he tries to console the bereaved horses.

Zeus finally intervenes, and Automedon resumes driving the chariot,^[4] but cannot aid the Achaeans until Alcimedon agrees to be his driver. He repels an attempt on his life by Hector, Aeneas, Chromios, and Aretos, killing Aretos^[5] 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.