Talk:Neoptolemus

Comments

In paragraph 3, where the plot of Sophocles' is retold, I think it should be indicated that this version is only one of several. While in all versions, Odysseus took part in getting Philoctetes from the island of Lemnos, only in Sophocles version does Neoptolomus take part.

Greek name

Hello, we need a greek version of the name Neoptolemus. Preferably in ancient greek. Thanks. Ldingley 18:51, 7 December 2006 (UTC)

The Greek for Neoptolemus means "the new fire", being Achilles son. This is symbolized in The Aeneid with the death of the Trojan priest Laocoon. The twin snakes that come across the water and kill Laocoon and his two sons are meant to represent Achilles and Neoptolemus. This can be seen in the statue of the death of Laocoon - the two serpents representing Achilles and Neoptolemus.

>>Actually, it means "new war" (Νεοπτόλεμος). The cognomen "Pyrrhus" (Πύρρος) means "the red/fiery one" though (--> pyr, pyrós: fire). Legend has it that this is according to his reddish-blonde hair.

Neoptolemus was in the Iliad?

I read The Iliad about nine years ago and don't recall Neoptolomus' name even being mentioned in the book. I don't recall even knowing that Achilles had a son until I read further into Greek mythology.

That being said, am I completely wrong here? If not, then the category "Characters in the Iliad" should be removed from this article. Darwin's Bulldog (talk) 23:48, 22 September 2011 (UTC)

This is super late, but yes, he is mentioned in the Iliad. He doesn’t show up, because the Iliad ends before Achilles’ death, and Neo only shows up after his death according to myth. But I’m surprised you also haven’t thought of the Odyssey. Surely, if you’ve read the Iliad, you’ve read the Odyssey as well? Odysseus meets Achilles in the Underworld and tells him how his son helped the Greeks sack Troy. So… he’s important to the Trojan War myth, but perhaps not much to the Iliad. Oh well, it’s been a long time after this comment and the category mentioned isn’t even in the article anymore.

AsterionHekataios (talk) 04:53, 14 July 2026 (UTC)

In Literaturs

Suggestion for addition: in the literature section, add Pat Barker's second Trojan War novel, The Women of Troy (2021) in which Pyrrhus is a lead character. 92.238.17.206 (talk) 09:26, 18 January 2022 (UTC)

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