Menelaus and Proteus

The Story

After the fall of Troy, Menelaus did not return directly to Sparta.

His voyage home became a long wandering across the eastern Mediterranean.

Eventually he reached the island of Pharos near Egypt.

There his ships were delayed.

Menelaus did not know what divine requirement was preventing him from leaving.

He learned that the prophetic sea god Proteus could provide the answer.

Proteus knew the movements of the sea and possessed knowledge that mortals could not easily obtain.

But he did not give that knowledge willingly.

Menelaus was told that he would have to seize Proteus and hold him.

When Menelaus and his companions captured the sea god, Proteus began changing shape.

He became different animals and forms in an attempt to escape their grip.

The men continued holding him.

Eventually Proteus returned to his own shape and agreed to speak.

He told Menelaus what religious obligations had been neglected and what needed to be done before the voyage could continue.

Proteus also revealed news about other Greek heroes returning from Troy.

Menelaus learned of the death of his brother Agamemnon.

He also heard of the sufferings of Odysseus, who was still unable to reach Ithaca.

Once Menelaus followed the instructions he had been given, he was finally able to resume his journey.

The encounter therefore turned the strange shape-changing sea god into one of the most important sources of knowledge in Menelaus' return story.