Peleus is a figure from Greek mythology, known as a hero and king of Phthia. His name is probably derived from the Greek word pelos (πηλός), meaning "clay."
In mythology, Peleus was the son of Aeacus, king of Aegina, and the mountain nymph Endeïs. With his brother Telamon, he was counted among the Argonauts who sailed with Jason in search of the Golden Fleece. The brothers accidentally killed their half-brother Phocus, which forced them to flee Aegina to escape punishment.
Peleus is best known for his marriage to the sea nymph Thetis, with whom he fathered the legendary hero Achilles. According to myth, Thetis was sought after by Zeus and Poseidon, but both withdrew when they learned that her son would be greater than his father. Peleus was chosen as her mortal husband, and he wrestled with her as she changed shapes before secu ring their union. The wedding of Peleus and Thetis, to which all gods save Eris were invited, is a famous event that led indirectly to the Judgment of Paris and the Trojan War.
In Homeric epic, Peleus is mentioned as the still-living father of Achilles during the Trojan War. After Achilles’ death, Peleus himself died and was buried in his kingdom of Phthia. In later tradition, the kings of Epirus claimed descent from Peleus through his grandson Neoptolemus. A daughter of Peleus, Polymele or Polymede, is sometimes named as the mother of Patroclus.
Peleus the name is firmly rooted in the cycle of myths surrounding Achilles and the Trojan War. Although not widely used as a given name today, it occasionally appears in classical-themed contexts.
- Meaning: Derived from Greek pelos meaning "clay"
- Origin: Greek mythology
- Type: Hero, legendary king
- Associated Figures: Father of Achilles, husband of Thetis, Argonaut
Sources: Wikipedia — Peleus