Sarpedon (rejoicing in a wooden ark) In Greek mythology, hero, son of Zeus and Laodamia or Europa; grandson of Bellerophon. Sarpedon was the commander of the Lycian contingent of King Priam’s allies during the Trojan War. At the storming of the Greek camp he and Glaucus, his cousin, were the first upon the enemy walls. Sarpedon, however, was killed by Patroclus. A battle then arose over the possession of Sarpedon’s body. Apollo, commanded by Zeus, rescued the disfigured corpse from the Greeks. After washing and anointing it with ambrosia, Apollo had Sleep and Death carry the body through the air to Lycia for burial. He was worshipped as a demigod in Lycia. Sarpedon appears in Homer’s Iliad (books 2, 12, 16).
SOURCE:
Encyclopedia of World Mythology and Legend, Third Edition – Written by Anthony S. Mercatante & James R. Dow– Copyright © 2009 by Anthony S. Mercatante