The name "Diomedes" itself means "God-like cunning." Diomedes's courage was enough to stand up to ever the gods, show when Diomedes was in hot pursuit of Hector. To his dismay, he found the fearsome war-god Ares already fighting Hector. In a fit of rage, Diomedes hurled his spear at Ares! It found its mark, and Ares fled the battlefield. With their ally gone, the Trojans were forced to flee.
In addition to fighting the gods, Diomedes, the king of Argos, also had the gods on his side, an essential element of a Greek hero. Athena "put valour into the heart of Diomed, son of
Tydeus, that he might excel all the other Argives, and cover himself
with glory. She made a stream of fire flare from his shield and helmet
like the star that shines most brilliantly in summer..."1
Diomedes committed other brave acts during the Trojan War. Odysseus assited him with an espionage mission to the Trojan camps, where they eventually killed Dolon.2 Diomedes also killed King Rhesus,3 an ally of the Trojans while he slept. Diomedes was best known in the Trojan War for stealing the Palladium (a statue of Athena) with Odysseus, from inside Troy.4 He also accompanied the heroes inside the Trojan horse.Home Page
Conclusion
Citations
Odysseus
Achilles
Diomedes