Idomeneus, expert to wield the spear, Commanded those of Crete, the men who dwelt In Cnosus or Gortyna, strongly walled Lyctus, Miletus, and the glimmering Lycastus, Phaestus, Rhytium’s populous town, And all the warrior train inhabiting The hundred towns of Crete. Idomeneus The mighty spearman, and Meriones, Fierce as the god of war, commanded these, And came to Troy with eighty dark-ribbed barques.
Tlepolemus, a warrior of the stock Of Hercules, was leader of the troops Of Rhodes, and brought nine vessels to the war, Manned with the haughty Rhodians. These were ranged In threefold order: those of Lindus, those Who dwell in white Camirus, lastly those Of Ialassa. These Tlepolemus, The valiant spearman, ruled. Astyoche Bore him to mighty Hercules, who led The maid from Ephyra, upon the banks Of Selleis, to be his wife, what time His valor had o’erthrown and made a spoil Of many a city full of noble youths. Tlepolemus, when in the palace-halls He grew to manhood, slew an aged man, An uncle of his father, whom he loved, Lycimnius, of the line of Mars, and straight He rigged a fleet of ships and led on board A numerous host and fled across the sea. For fearful were the threats of other sons And grandsons of the mighty Hercules. In Rhodes they landed after wanderings long And many hardships. There they dwelt in tribes, Three tribes—and were beloved of Jupiter, The ruler over gods and men, who poured Abundant riches on their new abode.
Nireus with three good ships from Syma came, Nireus, Aglaia’s son by Charopus The monarch—Nireus who in comeliness Surpassed all Greeks that came to Ilium, save The faultless son of Peleus. Yet was he Unwarlike and few people followed him.