Autolycus

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For other uses, see Autolycus (disambiguation).

In Greek mythology, Autolycus (Greek Αὐτόλυκος) was the son of Chione and Hermes. He was the father of Anticlea (who married Laertes of Ithaca and was the mother of Odysseus), and of several sons, of whom only Aesimus is named.

Autolycus was a renowned thief (skills passed down from his father, the God of Thieves) and wrestler (which he taught to Hercules). Autolycus stole the cattle of Sisyphus and the helmet that his grandson, Odysseus, eventually wore during the Trojan War. Autolycus was one of the Argonauts.

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Though not as well known as many other Greek mythological figures, Autolycus has appeared in a number of works of fiction. A comic thief in Shakespeare's The Winter's Tale boasts that he is named after Autolycus and, like him, is "a snapper-up of unconsidered trifles". In the television series Hercules: The Legendary Journeys and Xena: Warrior Princess, Autolycus appeared as a somewhat bumbling and comical antihero, referring to himself as the "King of Thieves". Although occasionally uncoordinated, he was also a cunning thief. He was portrayed by cult actor Bruce Campbell.