In the Greek epic Iliad, Phoenix is one of Achilles' men, who along with Odysseus and Ajax the Great urges Achilles to re-enter battle, giving the most passionate speech of the three. There is no doubt that this was a later addition to the epic, as Achilles continually uses a special dual verb form in speaking with his guests, rather than a more appropriate plural form.

Pheonix also makes a cameo in Virgil's Aeneid. As Aeneas is searching his fallen Troy for his wife Creusa, he glimpes Pheonix and Odysseus guarding their loot in Priam's palace.

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A different Phoenix in Greek mythology was according to Homer the father of Europa (Hom. Iliad. xiv. 321); but according to others he was a son of Agenor by Agriope or Telephassa, and therefore a brother of Europa. Being sent out by his father in search of his sister, who was carried off by Zeus, he went to Africa, and there gave his name to a people who were called after him Phoenices. (Apollod. iii. 1. § l; Eustath. ad Dionys. Perieg. 905; Hygin. Fab. 178.) According to some traditions he became, by Perimede, the daughter of Oeneus, the farther of Astypalaea and Europa (Pausanias vii. 4. § 2), by Telephe the father of Peirus, Astypale, Europa, and Phoenice (Schol. ad Eurip. Phoen. 5), and by Alphesiboea, the father of Adonis. (Apollod. iii. 14. § 4.)

Greek Mythology

See also : Greek Mythology. Paintings, Drawings

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