Theoclymenus

In Greek mythology, Theoclymenus (/ˌθiəˈklɪmɪnəs/; Ancient Greek: Θεοκλύμενος) was a prophet from Argos. He is a character in the Odyssey, in which he accompanies Telemachus from Pylos back to Ithaca. In the Odyssey, he foresees Odysseus' return to Ithaca and the death of Penelope's suitors, but he is not believed when he reveals these visions.

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

Slaughter of the suitors of Penelope. Side A from a red-figure bell-krater, ca. 330 BC

In the Odyssey, he escaped from Argos after killing one of his relatives. 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 interpreted the auspices of the birds, predicting 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 be killed that night.^[4]

Theoclymenos of Egypt

Theoclymenos is also the name of the king of Egypt in Euripides' play Helen. He is the son of Proteus, who he succeeds as kind, and the brother of the seer Theonoe.^[5]