indicate the level to which a name has been verified.
Gender Masculine
Usage Greek Mythology
Scripts Πειρίθοος(Ancient Greek)
Other Forms FormsPirithoüs, Peirithous/Peirithoüs, Peirithoos, Perithoos
Meaning & History
The sworn friend of Theseus. Pirithous helped Theseus abduct Helen of Troy before she was married. (She would later be taken again by Paris, initiating the Trojan War, etc.) Thesues returned the favor by journeying with his friend to the Underworld in an attempt to win the affections of Persephone, Hades' captive bride. According to some sources the two friends were imprisoned in the Underworld until Hercules descended and freed Theseus, but left Pirithous captive forever.