Areilycus (Archilycus)

Areilycus does not have an origin myth as a supernatural being; instead the name is attested as that of at least two mortal personages within Greek epic and later mythographic tradition. In genealogical lists and mythographic summaries (e.g., Fabulae 97 and citations in Diodorus/Hyginus) Areilycus (rendered also Archilycus) is given as father of Arcesilaus/Archesilaus and Prothoenor, situating him in Boeotian lineage and the catalogue tradition. Separately, Homer’s Iliad (Book XVI) records an individual called Areilycus, son of Menoetius, who is wounded in the thigh by Patroclus while fleeing in battle; the Homeric passage implies that wound is fatal. Variant spellings across sources reflect oral-textual transmission rather than a unitary mythic identity.

No distinctive supernatural or unusual physical description is provided in the sources beyond the ordinary features of a Homeric warrior. Homer’s Iliad (Book XVI) describes the warrior Areilycus as fleeing when struck: Patroclus’ spear 'pierced the thigh' and shattered bone in the passage cited, a blunt, physical account without extended simile or symbolic embellishment. Genealogical attestations give no portraitic detail — Areilycus functions as a named ancestor in catalogues rather than as a vividly depicted individual.

Areilycus is presented only as a mortal combatant and genealogical progenitor. His recorded behaviours are those of a human warrior in the epic: participating in battle and attempting flight/retreat (the Iliadic account notes he was fleeing when wounded). No supernatural powers, magical capacities, or spirit-like behaviours are ascribed in the provided sources; his role in later compendia is to mark lineage and regional affiliation (e.g., father of leaders from Boeotia).