Theano

Mortal woman

In Greek mythology, Theano (/θiˈænoʊ/; Ancient Greek: Θεανώ) was the wife of Antenor and a priestess of Athena at Troy during the Trojan War.

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Mentions
2
Connected characters
3
Books
2

Mentions in the Iliad

A. T. Murray, Loeb Classical Library, Harvard University Press, 1924 · Homer, Iliad with an English Translation · CC BY-SA 3.0 US

“he was in truth a bastard, howbeit goodly Theano had reared him carefully even as her own children, to do pleasure to her husband. To him Phyleus' son, famed for his spear, drew nigh and smote him with a cast of his sharp spear on the sinew of the head; and straight through amid the teeth the bronze shore away the tongue at its base.”
Il. 5.70–74
“and shone like a star, and lay undermost of all. Then she went her way, and the throng of aged wives hastened after her. Now when they were come to the temple of Athene in the citadel, the doors were opened for them by fair-cheeked Theano, daughter of Cisseus, the wife of Antenor, tamer of horses;”
Il. 6.295–299

Connections

Father · Sources
Father · Sources
and shone like a star, and lay undermost of all. Then she went her way, and the throng of aged wives hastened after her. Now when they were come to the temple of Athene in the citadel, the doors were opened for them by fair-cheeked Theano, daughter of Cisseus, the wife of Antenor, tamer of horses;
Il. 6.298–299
either of the Trojans themselves or of their famed allies. It was Iphidamas, son of Antenor, a valiant man and tall, that was nurtured in deep-soiled Thrace, mother of flocks, and Cisseus reared him in his house while he was yet but a little child, even his mother's father, that begat fair-cheeked Theano.
Il. 11.224

Il. 6.298–299 · Il. 11.224

Husband · Sources
Husband · Sources
he was in truth a bastard, howbeit goodly Theano had reared him carefully even as her own children, to do pleasure to her husband. To him Phyleus' son, famed for his spear, drew nigh and smote him with a cast of his sharp spear on the sinew of the head; and straight through amid the teeth the bronze shore away the tongue at its base.
Il. 5.70–71
and shone like a star, and lay undermost of all. Then she went her way, and the throng of aged wives hastened after her. Now when they were come to the temple of Athene in the citadel, the doors were opened for them by fair-cheeked Theano, daughter of Cisseus, the wife of Antenor, tamer of horses;
Il. 6.299

Il. 5.70–71 · Il. 6.299

Mistress · Sources
Mistress · Sources
for her had the Trojans made priestess of Athene. Then with sacred cries they all lifted up their hands to Athene; and fair-cheeked Theano took the robe and laid it upon the knees of fair-haired Athene, and with vows made prayer to the daughter of great Zeus:
Il. 6.300

Il. 6.300

In art

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04 / PROVENANCE

Sources and verification

The character is matched to the catalogue.

Wikidata Q1154473

Reference material remains distinct from the poem’s assertions. Characters who share a name retain separate pages.