< Palamedes, son of Nauplius >

1 Origin

Palamedes was born in Nauplia, Argolis, in 1240 BC.

Palamedes' father was Nauplius, son of Clytonaeus. [Apo.2.1.5, Dictys.1.1, TzeAdLyco.386]

1.1 Palamedes' mother

There is a tradition that Palamedes' mother was Clymene, daughter of Catreus. [Apo.2.1.5, Dictys.1.1]

However, there is a tradition that Palamedes and Sinon, son of Aesimus, were related by blood. [Virg.Aene.2.77]

Palamedes' mother was not Clymene, but Philyra (or Hesione), who is thought to have been the sister of Aesimus' mother Amphithea. [Apo.2.1.5]

2 Others

2.1 Addition of letters

In 1225 BC, Nauplius was chased by the Achaeans and fled to Chalcis in Euboea. [Plut.QuestGr.33]

It is believed that Palamedes also migrated to Chalcis with his father at this time. [Apo.2.1.5, Dares.18, Dictys.1.1, Virg.Aene.2.77]

A little earlier, the epic poet Linus, who invented the pelasgic letters, died in Chalcis. [Estimated from Tacit.Ann.11.14]

Palamedes learned the pelasgic letters in Chalcis and added new letters to the alphabet. [Estimated from Hyginus.277, Pliny.7.192, Suda.lambda.568]

2.2 Troy expedition

Palamedes participated in the Troy expedition.

It is said that Palamedes left Cormos with a fleet of warships, but the location of Cormos is unknown. [Dares.18]

Palamedes, together with Achilles, attacked Methymna in Lesbos and fought against Hypsipylus, son of Antenor. [Parthe.21]

Palamedes was killed in battle and buried in Methymna. [PhiloHero.716, PhiloApo.4.13]