Meriones

• a charioteer of Idomeneus, who piloted his ships from Crete to Troy, Ov. M. 13, 359; Hor. C. 1, 6, 15; 1, 15, 26.

(Μηριόνης), a son of Molus (Hom. Il. 13.249), conjointly with Idomeneus, led the Cretans in 80 ships against Troy (2.651, 4.254), where he was one of the bravest heroes, and uszally acted together with his friend Idomeneus (8.264, 10.58, 13.275, 304, 15.302, 17.258). He slew Phereclus (5.59), Hippotion, and Morys (14.514), Adamas (13.567), Harpalion (13.650), Acamas (16.342), Laogonus (16.603), and wounded Deiphobus (13.528). He also offered to fight with Hector, who afterwards slew his charioteer, Coeranus (7.165, 17.610). He offered to accompany Diomedes on his exploring expedition into the Trojan camp; but when Diomedes chose Odysseus for his companion, Meriones gave to the latter his bow, quiver, sword, and famous helmet (10.662, &c.). He and Ajax protected the body of Patroclus (17.669); and at the funeral games of Patroclus he won the fourth prize in the chariot-race, in shooting with the bow the first, and in throwing the javelin the second (23.351, 528, 614, 860, &c.). Later traditions state that on his way homeward he was thrown on the coast of Sicily, where he was received by the Cretans who had settled there (Diod. 4.79); whereas, according to others, he returned safely to Crete, and was buried and worshipped as a hero, together with Idomenens, at Cnossus. (Diod. 5.79.) [L.S]

(Μηριόνης). Son of Molus, a halfbrother of Idomeneus of Crete, whom he accompanied to Troy with eighty ships. In Homer we read that he was there one of the bravest in the fight, and with Teucer specially distinguished in archery, an art in which the Cretans had always excelled. According to a later legend, on his return from Troy his vessel was driven to Engyion in the north of Sicily, which was supposed to be a Cretan settlement. At Gnossus in Crete his grave was shown, and both he and Idomeneus , his friend and companion in battle, were honoured as heroes (Diod.iv. 79).

• arrow of: Paus. 3.3.8