Neleus

Neleus is a figure in Greek mythology known as the legendary king of Pylos in the southwestern Peloponnese. He is traditionally described as the son of Poseidon and Tyro and the twin brother of Pelias. In the mythic genealogies, Neleus founded the royal line of Pylos, while his brother Pelias established the throne of Iolcos in Thessaly.

Neleus is best known as the father of Nestor, the wise and long-lived king who features prominently in Homeric poetry. Through Neleus, Nestor inherits the dynastic claim to the kingdom of Pylos, and the two are frequently cited together in genealogical and heroic narratives.

Death and aftermath: In some legends, Neleus and many of his sons are slain by Heracles during the hero’s expedition against Pylos. Nestor alone is said to have survived the massacre, either because he was not present at the city at the time or was saved by a nurse. The destruction of Neleus’ household led to Nestor’s eventual kingship of Pylos and contributed to the broader web of Greek myth linking divine lineage, heroic exploits, and dynastic succession.

Neleus appears primarily as a genealogical figure within Greek myth, connecting the line of Poseidon to the rulers of Pylos and serving to situate Nestor within the larger tapestry of heroic narratives, including the stories surrounding Heracles and the Homeric tradition.