Machaon (mythology)

In Greek mythology, Machaon (/məˈkeɪən/; Ancient Greek: Μᾰχάων Makhāōn) was a son of Asclepius; and the older brother of Podalirius. He and his brother led an army from Tricca in the Trojan War on the side of the Greeks.[1]

Marble torso probably representing the son of Asclepius, Machaon. 2nd century B.C. Ancient Messene museum.

Mythology

Both Machaon and Podalirius were highly valued surgeons and medics.[2] In the Iliad he was wounded and put out of action by Paris.[3] Machaon (or his brother) healed Philoctetes, Telephus and Menelaus, after he sustained an arrow at the hand of Pandarus, during the war. He was also supposed to possess herbs which were bestowed to his father Asclepius by Chiron, the centaur.[4]

He was killed by Eurypylus in the tenth year of the war.[5] He was buried in Gerenia in Messenia, where he was worshiped by the people.

Legacy

The Latin name of a butterfly, the Old World Swallowtail (Papilio machaon), is derived from Machaon.
Machaonia, a plant genus in Rubiaceae was named for Machaon.
The Jovian trojan asteroid 3063 Makhaon is named after him.[6]

Family

According to Diogenes Laertius's Lives and Opinions of Eminent Philosophers, Hermippus, in his book On Aristotle, places Machaon as the son of Asclepius, father of Nicomachus, and grandfather of Aristotle.[7]

References

Homer, Iliad 2.729–32.
Iliad 2.273.
Iliad 11.506.
Iliad 4.219.
Quintus of Smyrna 6.408.
Schmadel, Lutz D. (2003) Dictionary of minor planet names, Springer - p.252
Diogenes Laertius (1925). "Lives of Eminent Philosophers 5.1. Aristotle". doi:10.4159/dlcl.diogenes_laertius-lives_eminent_philosophers_book_v_chapter_1_aristotle.1925. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)

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[1] Homer, Iliad 2.729–32.

[2] Iliad 2.273.

[3] Iliad 11.506.

[4] Iliad 4.219.

[5] Quintus of Smyrna 6.408.

[6] Schmadel, Lutz D. (2003) Dictionary of minor planet names, Springer - p.252

[7] Diogenes Laertius (1925). "Lives of Eminent Philosophers 5.1. Aristotle". doi:10.4159/dlcl.diogenes_laertius-lives_eminent_philosophers_book_v_chapter_1_aristotle.1925. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)