Lycas (ghost)

In Greek mythology, Lycas () was a soldier in the army of Odysseus, killed by the inhabitants of Temesa, as punishment for rape of a local maiden.

Mythology

According to the myth, Lycas was a member of Odysseus's crew, sailing back to Ithaca after the end of the Trojan War. Lycas was part of Eurylochus's scouting group that found Circe's house while exploring her island. Circe warmly received the men and offered them hospitality, but subsequently turned them all (except Eurylochus) into pigs until Odysseus forced her to change them back.

After that, Odysseus and his crew was driven by storms to Temesa. When they arrived to there, Lycas became drunk and rape a local maiden. For this crime, the inhabitants stoned him to death. Odysseus, however, showed no concern for Lycas's fate and departed with his crew. The spirit of Lycas thereafter haunted Temesa, attacking and killing the inhabitants without distinction of age. The terror became so severe that the inhabitants resolved to abandon the city altogether. When they consulted the Delphic oracle, they were instructed to remain in Temesa, establish a sacred precinct and temple for Lycas, and appease him with annual offerings. They were further commanded to give him each year the fairest maiden of the city as a bride. After obeying these instructions, the people were no longer troubled by Lycas's attacks.

Euthymus arrived at Temesa while one of these offerings was being prepared. Learning the reason for the ceremony, he insisted on entering the sanctuary and seeing the maiden who had been selected. At first he felt pity for her and afterwards fell in love with her. The girl promised that she would marry him if he could save her. Euthymus then armed himself and waited for Lycas. When Lycas came, Euthymus engaged it in combat and defeated it. Lycas was driven from the land and vanished by plunging into the sea. As a result, the inhabitants of Temesa were permanently freed from the tribute and the terror that had afflicted them. Euthymus subsequently married the rescued maiden and celebrated a distinguished wedding.

The spirit of Lycas was portrayed as terrifying in appearance, black in color, and clothed in a wolf skin. Some modern scholars argue that this figure belongs among the werewolf figures of ancient Greek tradition. There are also other sources that identify Polites (another member of Odysseus' crew) as the one who was killed by the inhabitants in Temesa.

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