Returns From Troy - The Returns

The Returns

News of Troy's fall quickly reached the Achaean kingdoms through a system of fire relays. A fire signal lit at Troy was seen at Lemnos, relayed to Athos, then to the look-out towers of Macistus on Euboea, across the Euripus straight to Messapion, then to Mount Cithaeron, Mount Aegiplanctus and finally to Mount Arachneus where it was seen by the people of Mycenae, including Clytaemnestra.

But though the message was brought fast and with ease, the heroes were not to return this way. The Gods were very angry over the destruction of their temples and other sacrilegious acts by the Acheans and decided that most would not return. A storm fell on the returning fleet off Tenos island. Also Nauplius, in revenge for the murder of his son Palamedes by Odysseus, set up false lights in Cape Caphereus (also known today as Cavo D'Oro, on Euboea) and many were shipwrecked.

• Nestor, who had the best conduct in Troy and did not take part in the looting, was the only hero who had a good, fast and safe return. Those of his army that survived the war also reached home with him safely.

• Locrian Ajax, who had endured more than the others the wrath of the Gods never returned. His ship was wrecked by a storm sent by Athena who borrowed one of Zeus' thunderbolts and tore it to pieces. The crew managed to land in a rock but Poseidon smote it and the Lesser Ajax fell in the sea and drowned. He was buried by Thetis on Myconos or Delos.

• The archer Teucer (son of Telamon and brother of the other Ajax) stood trial by his father for his brother's death. He was disowned and wasn't allowed back on Salamis Island. He was at sea near Phreattys in the Peiraeus. He was acquitted of responsibility but found guilty of negligence because he did not return his dead body or his arms. He left with his army (who took their wives) and founded Salamis on Cyprus. The Athenians later created a political myth that his son left his kingdom to Theseus' sons (and not to Megara).

• Neoptolemus, following Helenus' advice (who accompanied him) travelled over land, always accompanied by Andromache. He met Odysseus and they buried Achilles' teacher Phoenix on the land of the Ciconians. Then they conquered the land of the Molossians (the Epirus) and had a child by Andromache, Molossus, to whom he later gave the throne. Thus the kings of the Epirus claimed descendance from Achilles, as did Alexander the Great whose mother was of that royal house (Alexander and the kings of Macedon also claimed descendance from Hercules). Helenus founded a city in Molossia and inhabited it, and Neoptolemus gave him his mother Deidamia as wife. After Peleus died, he succeeded Phtia's throne as well. He had a feud with Orestes, son of Agamemon, over Menelaus' daughter Hermione and he was killed at Delphi, where he was buried. In Roman myths the kingdom of Phtia was taken over by Helenus, who married Andromache. They offered hospitality to other Trojan refugees, including Aeneas who paid a visit there during his wanderings.

• Diomedes was first thrown by a storm on the coast of Lycia, where he was to be sacrificed to Ares by king Lycus, but Callirrhoe, the king's daughter, took pity upon him, and assisted him in escaping. Then he accidentally landed in Attica at Phalerum. The Athenians, unaware that they were allies, attacked them. Many were killed and the Palladium was taken by Demophon. He finally landed at Argos where his wife Aegialia was committing adultery and, in disgust, left for Aetolia. According to Roman traditions, he had some adventures and founded a colony in Italy.

• Philoctetes, because of a sedition, was driven from his city by a revolt and emigrated to Italy where he founded the cities of Petilia, Old Crimissa, and Chone, between Croton and Thurii. After making war on the Leucanians, he founded there a sanctuary of Apollo the Wanderer, to whom also he dedicated his bow.

• For Homer, Idomeneus reached his house safe and sound. Another tradition was formed later. After the war, Idomeneus' ship hit a horrible storm. He promised Poseidon that he would sacrifice the first living thing he saw when he returned home if the god would save his ship and crew. The first living thing was his son, whom Idomeneus duly sacrificed. The gods were angry at his murder of his own son and they sent a plague to Crete. His people sent him into exile to Calabria in Italy, and then Colophon in Asia Minor where he died.

Among the lesser Achaeans very few reached their homes.

• Guneus, leader of the Aeneanians (the exact location is unknown but is believed to be in the Epirus), went to Libya and settled near the Cinyps river.
• Antiphus son of Thessalus from Cos settled in Pelasgiotis and renamed it Thessaly after his father Thessalus.
• Pheidippus who had led an army from Cos settled on Andros, Agapenor from Arcadia settled in Cyprus and founded Paphos.
• Prothous from Magnesia settled in Crete
• Menestheus, king of Athens, became king of Melos
• Theseus' descendants ruled Athens for four more generations.
• The army of Elephenor (who had died in front of Troy) settled in the Epirus and founded Apollonia.
• Tlepolemus, king of Rhodes, was driven by the winds and settled in the Balearic islands.
• Podalirius, following the instructions of the oracle at Delphi, settled in Caria.