Theano (wife of Antenor)

For other uses, see Theano.

In Greek mythology, Theano (/θiˈænoʊ/; Ancient Greek: Θεανώ) was the priestess of Athena in Troy.

Family

Theano was the daughter of the Thracian king Cisseus and Telecleia^[1] and thus the sister of Queen Hecuba, wife of King Priam of Troy. She was the wife of Antenor^[2] and by him, mother of many sons possibly including, Archelochus, Acamas, Glaucus, Helicaon, Laodocus, Polybus, Agenor, Iphidamas, Coon, Laodamas, Demoleon, Eurymachus and Medon; and a daughter Crino.^[3]

Mythology

The household of Antenor and Theano advocated peace and advised Helen's return to the Greeks. Because of their support (some say treason^[4]), the Greeks spared their household when they sacked the city.^[5] One story has Theano and Antenor sailing with Aeneas to Italy and founding the city of Padua.^[6] Another story is that she took the Palladium, an image of Athena that had fallen from the sky and supposedly provided Troy its protection, with her.^[7] In Book VI of the Iliad, with Hecuba and the Trojan women, Theano offered a gift and plea to Athena for the life of the city, but was rebuffed.^[8]