Diomedes, the legendary King of Argos, was a force of nature in Greek mythology—his military résumé reads like a war god’s internship. Here’s a breakdown of his most notable campaigns:
🛡️ Seven Against Thebes (Indirectly)
- Diomedes’ father, Tydeus, was one of the original seven champions who attacked Thebes.
- After their defeat, Diomedes joined the Epigoni, the sons of the fallen warriors, in a second assault ten years later.
- This campaign succeeded where the first failed, and Diomedes helped sack Thebes and install a new ruler.
⚔️ Trojan War
- Diomedes led 80 ships to Troy, making him one of the top contributors to the Greek coalition.
- He was second only to Achilles in battlefield prowess and was favored by Athena, who even drove his chariot once.
- Notable feats:
- Wounded Ares, the god of war, with Athena’s help.
- Injured Aphrodite while she tried to protect her son Aeneas.
- Stole the Palladium, a sacred statue of Athena, from Troy with Odysseus—a key act that helped ensure Troy’s downfall.
- Participated in covert missions, including the night raid on the Thracians, where he and Odysseus killed King Rhesus and stole his horses.
🏛️ Post-War Campaigns
- After returning from Troy, Diomedes found his throne in Argos compromised due to divine meddling (Aphrodite wasn’t thrilled about that spear wound).
- He later sailed to Italy, where he founded several cities and was worshipped as a hero and even a minor deity.
Diomedes wasn’t just a warrior—he was a tactician, a diplomat, and a mortal who dared to challenge the divine.