Telemachus

tuh-lehm-a-kus

Greek

"fighting from afar"

Telemachus Origin and Meaning

The name Telemachus is a boy's name meaning "fighting from afar".

Famously the name of Odysseus and Penelope's son in "The Odyssey" by Homer, Telemachus derives from the Greek elements tele meaning "far off" and mache meaning "battle".

Along with Homer's Odyssey, Telemachus also appears in James Joyce's novel Ulyssess, Madeline Miller's Circe and in EPIC: the musical.

Beyond Greek mythology, Telemachus is the name of a 4th century saint and monk, remembered for his attempt to stop a gladiatorial fight in a Roman amphitheatre which resulted in him being stoned to death by the crowd. The Christian emperor Honorius was impressed however, and subsequently banned gladiatorial fights.

The modern form of the name, Tilemachos, is familiar in Greece.

Famous People Named Telemachus

• Saint Telemachus Roman monk and martyr
• Telemachus leader of a 554 BC general uprising in the Greek city,state of Acragas
• Roger Telemachus South African cricketer
• Telemachus cat belonging to singer Carole King, pictured on the front cover of her album 'Tapestry'.

Telemachus in Pop Culture

• Telemachus son of Odysseus (Ulysses) and Penelope in Greek Mythology. He later received his own "telegony", telling the tale of some of his own life.
• Telemachus Episode 1 of James Joyce's novel 'Ulysses' , a modern retelling of 'The Odyssey' (Part 1 is called "Telemachia")