Thoas (mythology)

Thoas appears as the name of several figures in Greek mythology. The most prominent are:

• Thoas, King of Lemnos: This Thoas was the son of Dionysus and Ariadne. He was the king of the island of Lemnos and was the husband of Hypsipyle. During a revolt of the Lemnian women against their husbands (either due to Aphrodite's wrath or resentment over their husbands' infidelity), all the men of the island were slain, save for Thoas, who was spared by Hypsipyle. Hypsipyle hid him, often sending him away in a chest to protect him. Accounts differ on his fate after this point; some say Hypsipyle sent him to Oenoe where he later died, while others claim he was rescued and went on to have further adventures.

• Thoas, an Achaean Leader in the Trojan War: This Thoas was the son of Andraemon and was a leader of the Aetolians in the Trojan War. He commanded forty ships. He is mentioned several times in Homer's Iliad as a brave and skilled warrior, often offering advice and encouragement to the Achaean forces. He survived the war.

• Thoas, a Shepherd: In Virgil's Eclogues, Thoas is mentioned as a shepherd.

The name "Thoas" likely has connections to speed or swiftness, although the etymology is debated. Due to the disparate characters named Thoas, it's important to specify which Thoas is being referenced when discussing Greek mythology.