Memnon (mythology) facts for kids

Memnon was a brave king from a land called Aethiopia. He was an important ally of the Trojans during the famous Trojan War. Memnon was also special because he was a demigod. This means one of his parents was a god!

Who Was Memnon?

Memnon was known as a mighty warrior. Many people thought he was almost as skilled and strong as the great Greek hero, Achilles. Memnon's story is a sad one, but it shows his courage and loyalty.

Memnon's Family

Memnon's mother was Eos, the goddess of the dawn. His father was Tithonus. Because his mother was a goddess, Memnon had amazing strength and fighting skills. He was a prince from Aethiopia, a land often linked to areas south of Egypt in ancient times.

Memnon and the Trojan War

During the long and famous Trojan War, Memnon led his army to help the city of Troy. The Trojans were fighting against the powerful Greek armies. Memnon and his warriors were very important allies for Troy. They brought new strength and hope to the Trojans.

A Fierce Warrior

Memnon was a truly fearsome fighter on the battlefield. He was known for his bravery and his ability to defeat many enemies. In one fierce battle, Memnon himself killed a Greek hero named Antilochus. Antilochus was a close friend of Achilles. This made Achilles very angry and sad.

Memnon's Final Battle

After Memnon killed Antilochus, Achilles sought revenge. Achilles was the greatest Greek warrior. He challenged Memnon to a duel. This was a very important fight between two of the strongest heroes in the war. Both fought with incredible skill and power. In the end, Achilles was victorious. He killed Memnon in a dramatic battle.

A Hero's Death

Memnon's death was a big loss for the Trojans. His story is often compared to that of Hector, another brave defender of Troy. Hector was also killed by Achilles. Both Memnon and Hector were great heroes who fought bravely to protect their city.

Images for kids

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  The departure of Memnon for Troy. Greek, circa 550-525 BC. Black-figure vase. Royal Museums of Art and History, Brussels, Belgium.

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  Combat between Achilles (left) and Memnon (right). Grave amphora. Southern Italy, 330 BC

See also

In Spanish: Memnón para niños