Palamides

Palamedes was a figure in Greek mythology, a prince of Argos and son of King Nauplius and Clymene. He is most famously known for his role in the Trojan War. According to legend, Palamedes was a man of great intelligence and cunning.

When the Greek fleet gathered at Aulis to sail for Troy, Odysseus, King of Ithaca, feigned madness to avoid going to war. He reportedly yoked an ox and a horse to his plow and sowed salt in the fields. Palamedes, however, saw through Odysseus's deception. He picked up the infant Telemachus, Odysseus's son, and placed him in front of the plow. Odysseus swerved to avoid harming his child, revealing his sanity and thus his obligation to join the expedition.

Palamedes is credited with several inventions that aided the Greeks, including the alphabet, numbers, dice, and the arrangement of ships in battle formations. He was also instrumental in discovering that Achilles was hiding among women disguised as a maiden.

Despite his intelligence and contributions, Palamedes met a tragic end. He was accused by Odysseus of betraying the Greeks to the Trojans, a charge he vehemently denied. Odysseus, harboring a long-standing grudge against Palamedes for exposing his feigned madness, fabricated evidence of treason. Palamedes was stoned to death by the Greek army. His father, Nauplius, later sought revenge against the Greeks for his son's death, causing them further hardships on their return journeys.