Leitus

In Greek mythology, Leitus (Λήιτος) was the son of Alector (Alectryon) and Polybule or of Lacritus and Cleobule, brother of Clonius, from Boeotia.[1][2][3] He sailed with the Argonauts[4] and afterwards, as one of the suitors of Helen, fought in the Trojan War,[5][6][2] where he killed twenty enemies,[7] including Phylacus.[8] He commanded 12 ships.[2]

Leitus is one of the seven Achaean leaders (others being Teucer, Thoas, Meriones, Antilochus, Peneleos and Deipyrus) in front of whom Poseidon appeared during the Trojans' attack on the Achaean ships, urging them to fight back instead of acting like cowards.[9]

Leitus was wounded by Hector,[10] but in the end, he was the only Boeotian leader to safely return home after the Trojan War. He also brought back the remains of Arcesilaus, another Boeotian chieftain, and buried them near the city of Lebadea.[11] His own tomb was at Plataeae.[12]

References

  1. ↑ Diodorus Siculus, Library of History, 4. 67. 7
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Hyginus Fabulae 97. XCVII. THOSE WHO WENT TO ATTACK TROY, AND THE NUMBER OF THEIR SHIPS
  3. ↑ Tzetzes, Allegoriae Iliadis, Prologue, 534
  4. ↑ Bibliotheca 1. 9. 16
  5. ↑ Homer, Iliad, 2. 494
  6. ↑ Bibliotheca 3. 10. 8
  7. ↑ Hyginus, "Fabulae" #114 CXIV. SLAYERS ON THE ACHAEAN SIDE AND HOW MANY THEY SLEW
  8. ↑ Homer, Iliad, 6. 35
  9. ↑ Homer, Iliad, 13. 90–124
  10. ↑ Homer, Iliad, 17. 602–605
  11. ↑ Pausanias, Description of Greece, 9. 39. 3
  12. ↑ Pausanias, Description of Greece, 9. 4. 3