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Protesilaus
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
In Greek mythology, Protesilaus (Greek: Πρωτεσίλαος) was the son of Iphicles and the leader of the Phylaceans. The etymology of the name is from πρώτ-ος (first) and σύλ-ησις (spoiling, plundering), i.e. the first to plunder Troy.
An oracle had prophesied that the first Greek to walk on the land after stepping off a ship in the Trojan War would be the first to die. After Odysseus tossed his shield ashore and jumped onto it, Protesilaus, with knowledge of the prophecy, fulfilled this after killing several Trojans. His wife, Laodamia, followed him to his death. Alternatively, Hector, or according to other accounts Euphorbus, Aeneas, or Cycnus killed Protesilaus and Laodamia killed herself in grief.
After Protesilaus' death, his brother, Podarces, joined the war in his place.
Ovid XII, 68, also referred to in Catullus poem 68(b)