Andromache is a noble Trojan woman best known as the devoted wife of Hector, the prince of Troy, and the mother of their son, Astyanax. She represents the ideal of loyal womanhood in wartime—grieving wife, protective mother, and silent witness to Troy’s fall. Her tragic life story continues beyond the Trojan War, as she endures captivity and builds a new future in exile.
Family and Relations
- Father: Eetion, king of Cilician Thebe
- Mother: Unnamed; killed during the Greek sack of Cilician Thebe
- Husbands: Hector (prince of Troy), Neoptolomeus (as concubine), Helenus
- Son: Astyanax (also called Scamandrius)
Key Myths and Deeds
- Life Before Troy’s Fall: Andromache is depicted in The Iliad as a devoted wife who fears Hector’s fate and the future of their child. Her farewell to Hector before his final battle is one of the most emotional scenes in Greek literature.
- Death of Astyanax: After Troy falls, the Greeks throw her young son from the walls to prevent him from growing up to avenge the Trojans. This act marks the deepest point of her suffering.
- Captivity and Exile: Andromache is taken as a war prize by Neoptolemus, son of Achilles—the man who killed Hector. She bears him several children, despite her grief and status as a captive.
- New Life in Epirus: After Neoptolemus’s death, she marries Helenus, a Trojan seer and Hector’s brother. They found a small Trojan kingdom in Epirus, symbolizing a partial restoration of her lost homeland.
- Legacy: In later myths, Andromache becomes a queen and advisor, remembered for her wisdom, endurance, and maternal strength. Her life becomes a rare story of survival and restoration after overwhelming tragedy.
Meaning and Etymology
The name “Andromache” (Greek: Ἀνδρομάχη) combines anēr (man) and machē (battle), meaning “man-fighter” or “battle of men.” Ironically, despite her warrior-sounding name, she is mostly portrayed as a non-combatant caught in the devastation of war.
Symbolism
Andromache symbolizes the suffering of women in war, especially those who lose everything. She embodies devotion, endurance, and dignity in the face of overwhelming loss. Her story reflects the emotional toll of conflict on civilians and the resilience required to rebuild after catastrophe.
Modern Appearances
Books and Literature
- The Iliad by Homer – Features her as a central emotional figure in Hector’s narrative.
- Andromache by Euripides – A tragedy that explores her life as a captive in Neoptolemus’s household.
- The Trojan Women by Euripides – Portrays her grief and endurance among Troy’s widowed queens.
- Featured in modern novels like The Silence of the Girls (Pat Barker) and A Thousand Ships (Natalie Haynes).
TV and Streaming
- Appears in adaptations of The Iliad and The Trojan Women, often portrayed as the emotional core of the Trojan side.
- Present in Troy: Fall of a City (Netflix) as a voice of reason, love, and suffering in Hector’s household.