In
Greek mythology,
Theoclymenus (Θεοκλύμενος), son of
Polypheides, was a
prophet from
Argos, who, in the
Odyssey, had been taken from that city after killing one of his relatives being captured by pirates. He fled to
Pylos and sought refuge aboard the ship of
Telemachus, who had come to inquire about the fate of his father,
Odysseus. Telemachus obliged, and Theoclymenus accompanied him back to
Ithaca. There Theoclymenus read the
auspices of the birds, interpreting them to mean that Telemachus would become head of the royal house of Ithaca. He also prophesied that Odysseus was already in Ithaca, disguised and watching as events unfolded. When he told
Penelope of these signs, she did not believe him. Later, at dinner, he had a vision of the death of the suitors, but they laughed at his predictions, not knowing they would indeed be killed that night.