InGreek mythology,Deidamia (/ˌdeɪdəˈmaɪə/;Ancient Greek: ΔηϊδάμειαDeïdameia) is a daughter of KingLycomedes, who lives on the island ofScyros. She marriesAchilles, by whom she becomes the mother ofNeoptolemus. Following theTrojan War, her son gives her in marriage toHelenus, a Trojan captive. She is sometimes said to have a second son, Oneiros, or to have only been Neoptolemus's nurturer (rather than his mother).
Deidamia was one ofKing Lycomedes' seven daughters with whomAchilles was concealed.[1]Some versions of this story state that Achilles was hidden in Lycomedes' court as one of the king's daughters, some say as a lady-in-waiting under the name "Pyrrha".[2][3] The two soon became romantically involved to the point of intimacy.[4] AfterOdysseus arrived at Lycomedes's palace and exposed Achilles as a young man, the hero decided to join theTrojan War, along with histherápon Patroclus, leaving behind his wife Deidamia.[5][6]
Years later, Deidamia tried to persuade their son, Neoptolemus, not to join his father in the same war. After the death of Achilles, his father, Neoptolemus went to the Trojan War. After the war, Deidamia was given in marriage by Neoptolemus to his slaveHelenus, the son of Priam who he had brought to Epirus.[7] Later on, Neoptolemus was eventually killed byOrestes when the son ofAgamemnon went mad.[8]
In a different version of Neoptolemus's childhood,Iphigenia rather than Deidamia is his mother, though the latter does raise him.[9] According to theAlexandrine grammarianPtolemy Hephaestion, Achilles and Deidamia had another son, Oneiros. This son was killed by Orestes (who was unable to recognize him) inPhocis while the two were fighting over a place to pitch a tent.[10]
The tragediansEuripides andSophocles, both of whom date to the 5th century BC, each composed a work titledSkyroi, in which Deidamia was an important figure.[11] In a poem in theGreek Anthology, she was instead referred to as Pyrrha.[12]
Bion of Phlossa,The Greek Bucolic Poets translated by Edmonds, J M. Loeb Classical Library Volume 28. Cambridge, MA, Harvard University Press; London, William Heinemann Ltd. 1912.Online version available at the Theoi.
Bloch, Rene, "Deidamia (1)", inBrill's New Pauly: Encyclopaedia of the Ancient World. Antiquity, Volume 4, Cyr – Epy, edited by Hubert Cancik and Helmuth Schneider, Brill, 2004.ISBN9004122672.
Statius,The Achilleid translated by Mozley, J H. Loeb Classical Library Volumes. Cambridge, MA, Harvard University Press; London, William Heinemann Ltd. 1928.Online version at the theoi.com
Media related toDeidamia (mythology) at Wikimedia Commons