Pylades

Pylades is a figure in Greek mythology best known as the loyal companion of Orestes. He is described as the son of Strophius, king of Phocis, and is frequently presented as Orestes’ closest ally in the quest to avenge his father, Agamemnon.

In Greek tragedy, most notably Euripides’ Orestes, Pylades travels with Orestes to Mycenae and pledges to share in his fate, embodying the ideal of steadfast friendship. The two characters together navigate the moral and political tensions surrounding vengeance, justice, and familial duty, with Pylades often serving as the prudent counterpoint to Orestes’ more impetuous impulses. Their alliance allows the drama to explore themes of loyalty, fate, and the consequences of action under the watch of the gods and the laws of the city.

The figure of Pylades functions as an enduring emblem of friendship within classical literature. Across later works of drama and poetry, he is invoked as a model of the devoted companion who stands by a friend through danger and moral trials. In scholarly discussions of Greek tragedy, Pylades is frequently cited in relation to Orestes as part of a broader examination of xenia (guest-friendship) and the social bonds that structure characters’ choices.

In sum, Pylades remains a central symbol in ancient storytelling for fidelity, measured courage, and the power of loyal friendship within the fabric of a mythic world.