Pyrrhus (mythology)

Pyrrhus, also known as Neoptolemus, was a son of Achilles and Deidamia in Greek mythology. He was a prominent figure in the Trojan War after the death of his father.

Role in the Trojan War:

Brought to Troy late in the war after an oracle revealed that Troy could not be taken without him, Pyrrhus was a ferocious warrior. He was responsible for several significant acts, including:

• The Death of Priam: Pyrrhus brutally killed King Priam of Troy, along with Priam's son Polites, at an altar during the sack of the city. This act cemented his reputation for ruthless violence.

• Sacrifice of Polyxena: After the fall of Troy, the ghost of Achilles demanded the sacrifice of Polyxena, Priam's daughter, to appease him. Pyrrhus carried out this sacrifice.

• Taking Andromache as a Slave: Pyrrhus took Andromache, the widow of Hector, as a war prize and concubine.

After the Trojan War:

After the war, Pyrrhus sailed back to Greece with Andromache. He settled in Epirus, where he became king. With Andromache, he had several sons, including Molossus, the ancestor of the Molossian kings of Epirus. He also had children with other women.

Death:

Pyrrhus's death is recounted in several variations. One account states he was killed in Delphi in a dispute over sacrifices or an oracle. Another version claims he was assassinated in Argos, either by Orestes or by Machaon, in retaliation for his past actions or due to a rivalry over Hermione, the daughter of Menelaus and Helen.

Significance:

Pyrrhus represents the brutal and often merciless side of warfare. His actions at the end of the Trojan War, particularly the killings of Priam and Polyxena, and his subsequent enslavement of Andromache, highlight the savagery that often accompanied victory in the ancient world. He is a complex character, embodying both the heroic legacy of his father Achilles and a dark streak of violence and cruelty.