In Greek mythology, Tlepolemus (/lɪˈpɒlɪməs/; Ancient Greek: Τληπόλεμος, romanized: Tlēpólemos) was the leader of the Rhodian forces in the Trojan War.[1]
Tlepolemus was a son of Heracles and Astyoche, daughter of Phylas, king of Ephyra.[1][2] Though some sources say that his mother was Astydameia, daughter of Amyntor[3] or Ormenus.[4]
Tlepolemus fled to Rhodes after slaying Licymnius, Heracles' aged maternal uncle.[1] According to the Bibliotheca, this was an accident—Tlepolemus was beating a servant when Licymnius ran between the two, suffering a fatal blow,[5]—but Pindar states that the death was intentional and motivated by anger.[3] Accompanied by his Argive wife Polyxo,[6][7] Tlepolemus made passage to Rhodes and divided the island into three parts, founding three Rhodian city-states: Cameirus, Ialysus and Lindus.[8][9]
Hyginus lists Tlepolemus among the suitors of Helen;[10] thus bound by the oath of Tyndareus, he was among the Greek allies in the campaign against Troy, leading a force of nine ships.[1]
He encountered Sarpedon on the first day of fighting recounted in the Iliad and taunted him saying that he lacked courage and could not really be the son of Zeus.[11] Tlepolemus then attacked him, and although he wounded Sarpedon, he was slain by the latter.[12]
According to Pausanias, Polyxo killed Helen to avenge for her husband's death,[6] though Polyaenus says that Menelaus had dressed up a servant in Helen's clothes and that the Rhodians killed her instead as Menelaus and Helen escaped.[13]