InGreek mythology,Theoclymenus (/ˌθiəˈklɪmɪnəs/;Ancient Greek: Θεοκλύμενος) was aprophet fromArgos. He is a character in theOdyssey, in which he accompaniesTelemachus fromPylos back toIthaca. In theOdyssey, he foresees Odysseus' return to Ithaca and the death of Penelope's suitors, but he is not believed when he reveals these visions.
Theoclymenus was the son ofPolypheides andAechme, daughter ofHaemon, and brother ofHarmonides.[1] In some accounts, his parents wereThestor and possiblyPolymele,[2] and thus, the brother ofLeucippe,Theonoe of Mycenae, andCalchas.[3]
In theOdyssey, he escaped from Argos after killing one of his relatives. He fled toPylos and sought refuge aboard the ship ofTelemachus, who had come to inquire about the fate of his father,Odysseus. Telemachus obliged, and Theoclymenus accompanied him back toIthaca. There, Theoclymenus interpreted theauspices of the birds, predicting that Telemachus would become head of the royal house of Ithaca. He also prophesied that Odysseus was already in Ithaca, disguised and watching as events unfolded. When he toldPenelope of these signs, she did not believe him. Later, at dinner, he had a vision of the death of thesuitors, but they laughed at his predictions, not knowing they would be killed that night.[4]
Theoclymenos is also the name of the king ofEgypt inEuripides' playHelen. He is the son ofProteus, who he succeeds as kind, and the brother of the seerTheonoe.[5]
