Teucer

Family: Greeks · Role: half brother of Aias · First appears: Sophocles, Aias — Scene 1

Teucer is Aias’s half brother and friend. After Aias entrusts Eurysakes to him, Teucer is attacked by the Argives as the brother of the man who went mad and threatened the host. Calchas warns him to keep Aias sheltered for the day, but Teucer soon learns that Aias has died.

Teucer uncovers Aias’s body and fears that Telamon, his father, will exile him. Despite Menelaus’s threat to prevent the burial, Teucer brings Tecmessa and Eurysakes to tend it, directs Eurysakes to guard his father’s corpse, and declares, “But I will bury Aias, whether thou / Or the other general give consent or no.” He refuses Odysseus’s direct participation but accepts his assistance, while standing against Menelaus and Agamemnon until the burial preparations begin.

After Aias’s death, Telamon banishes Teucer from Salamis. In Euripides’ Helen, Teucer identifies himself as the son of Telamon and says, “I from my native land / Am banished.” Odysseus later names him as skilled in a mystery, and Teucer warns Helen to flee the hostile shores.