Death of Protesilaos

marble statue of fallen warrior; Greek, c.500-480 BCE
Sculpture from the East Pediment of the late archaic Temple of Aphaia in Aegina.
Munich, Glyptothek. Credits: Barbara McManus, 2005

Alas! Black earth now holds warlike Protesilaos, fulfilling the prophecy of the divine mother of Achilles. Never again shall his father or his new bride see him again. May this tale of mine, Podarkes, full brother of high-hearted Protesilaos, bear witness to his everlasting glory.

His lust for battle blinded him to the wiles of Odysseus. After the fleet had grounded at the shores of Ilium, three champions of the Achaeans–Protesilaos, Ajax, and Odysseus–each eagerly waited to jump upon land and be the first to slay his man. But mindful of the prophecy of Thetis, none dared to do so. At last, cunning Odysseus secretly threw down his shield onto the soil and jumped upon his shield. Seeing Odysseus jump down, Protesilaos without hesitation jumped onto the Trojan soil and began his slaughter. Like a lion coming upon unshepherded herds of goats or sheep leaps upon them intending wicked acts, just so warlike Protesilaos attacked the Trojans and their allies, killing many great warriors. His evil destiny was sealed when he encountered brilliant Hector, leader of the Dardanians, in one-on-one combat. Protesilaos fought valiantly, but proved no match for the best of the Trojans.

In the end his will was accomplished and his glory achieved. Protesilaos, first of men, was the first of the Achaeans to land upon Trojan soil, the first slay Trojan blood, and the first to die gloriously in the din of Ares!