Autolycus

There are a number of different accounts of the birth of Autolycus. According to most, he was the son of Hermes or Philonis. In Ovid's version, Autolycus was conceived after Hermes had intercourse with the virgin Chione. Pausanias instead states that Autolycus's real father was Daedalion. In some accounts, his mother was also called Telauge. Depending on the source, Autolycus was the husband of Mestra (who could change her shape at will and was a daughter of Erysichthon), or of Neaera, He became the father of Anticlea (who married Laertes of Ithaca and was the mother of Odysseus) and several sons, of whom only Aesimus, father of Sinon was named. Autolycus's other daughter was Polymede, mother of Jason, the famous Argonaut who led a group of men to find the coveted Golden Fleece. == Mythology ==

Adventures According to Bibliotheca, Autolycus was counted as one of the Argonauts. Autolycus, master of thievery, was also well known for stealing Sisyphus's herd right from underneath him – Sisyphus, who was commonly known for being a crafty king that killed guests, seduced his niece and stole his brothers' throne and was banished to the throes of Tartarus by the gods. However, according to other versions of the myth, Autolycus failed to steal Sisyphus's herd and the king banished him from his city. Heracles, the great Greek hero, was taught the art of wrestling by Autolycus. However, Autolycus was a source of trouble in Heracles's life, because when Autolycus stole some cattle from Euboea and Eurytus, they accused Heracles of the deed; upon going mad from these accusations, Heracles killed them and another one of Eurytus's sons, Iphitus. This led to Heracles serving three years of punishment to repent the deed. Odysseus's name Through Anticleia, Autolycus was also the grandfather of the famous warrior Odysseus, with many, both men and women, let the name of the child be Odysseus". ==Notes==