Character · Individual
Read-only identity and editorial metadata.
son of Peteos
Descriptive reference · Direct
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Menestheus is at his defended part of the Achaean wall and looks along it for support.
“Menestheus son of Peteos was dismayed when he saw them, for it was against his part of the wall that they came— bringing destruction with them; he looked along the wall for some chieftain to support his comrades”
Menestheus has no living equal in marshalling chariots and foot soldiers; only the older Nestor can rival him.
“And they that held the strong city of Athens, the people of great Erechtheus, who was born of the soil itself, but Jove’s daughter, Minerva, fostered him, and established him at Athens in her own rich sanctuary. There, year by year, the Athenian youths worship him with sacrifices of bulls and rams. These were commanded by Menestheus, son of Peteos. No man living could equal him in the marshalling of chariots and foot soldiers. Nestor could alone rival him, for he was older. With him there came fifty ships.”
Menestheus waits with the Athenians near Ulysses and the Cephallenians because they have not heard the battle cry and expect other columns to attack first.
“Menestheus, son of Peteos, tarrying in his place, and with him were the Athenians loud of tongue in battle. Near him also tarried cunning Ulysses, with his sturdy Cephallenians round him; they had not yet heard the battle-cry, for the ranks of Trojans and Achaeans had only just begun to move, so they were standing still, waiting for some other columns of the Achaeans to attack the Trojans and begin the fighting”
Dismayed by the attack on his sector, Menestheus searches for support and sends Thootes to summon Ajax and Teucer.
“Menestheus son of Peteos was dismayed when he saw them, for it was against his part of the wall that they came— bringing destruction with them; he looked along the wall for some chieftain to support his comrades and saw the two Ajaxes, men ever eager for the fray, and Teucer, who had just come from his tent, standing near them; but he could not make his voice heard by shouting to them, so great an uproar was there from crashing shields and helmets and the battering of gates with a din which reached the skies. For all the gates had been closed, and the Trojans were hammering at them to try and break their way through them. Menestheus, therefore, sent Thootes with a message to Ajax”
Menestheus is one of two Athenian captains who carry Amphimachus to the Achaean host.
“Stichius and Menestheus, captains of the Athenians, bore away Amphimachus to the host of the Achaeans”
Menestheus leads the chosen Athenian vanguard.
“The chosen men of the Athenians were in the van, led by Menestheus son of Peteos, with whom were also Pheidas, Stichius, and stalwart Bias”
Evidence records not already represented by a claim.
“Menestheus”
“Menestheus, son of Peteos”
“Menestheus, captains of the Athenians”
“friend and comrade of Menestheus”