Who was Telephus in Greek mythology?
Telephus was the son of Heracles and Auge daughter of king Aleus of Tegea in Arcadia. Ancient mythographers state his name means far-shining or he who shines afar.
Questions about Telephus
Short answers, pulled from the story.
When did the marble statue of Telephus appear in the Louvre?
A marble statue from the mid second century AD shows Heracles holding an infant named Telephus alongside a deer in the Louvre museum.
Where was Telephus born according to conflicting ancient sources?
Some traditions place Telephus birth in Mysia while others insist on Arcadia. A sixth-century BC fragment from Hesiod's Catalogue of Women suggests Telephus was born in Mysia after Auge arrived there as a daughter of King Teuthras.
How did Achilles heal the wound inflicted on Telephus during the Trojan War prelude?
Apollo's oracle delivered the famous reply your assailant will heal you leading Telephus to seek a cure from Achilles himself. Pliny the Elder recorded paintings depicting Achilles scraping rust from his spear into the wound which Philostratus identified as verdigris.
What is the significance of the Telephus frieze at the Great Altar of Pergamon?
The Telephus frieze created between 180 and 156 BC adorned the Great Altar of Pergamon with nearly 60 meters of narrative panels. The Attalid dynasty ruling Pergamon from 241 BC claimed descent from Telephus to legitimize their sovereignty through this artwork.