A city on the island of Kos.
During the Trojan War, Antiphos and Pheidippos commanded the Achaian troops from islands in the southeastern Aigean Sea, including—Krapathos, Kasos, Nisyros, the city of Kos, and the Kalydnai.1
The "Catalogue of Ships"2 includes Achaian soldiers from the city of Kos but does not mention the island, itself. Kos was referred to as Eurypylos's city.
To indulge her bitterness, the goddess Hera created a storm to maroon Zeus's son Herakles on the island of Kos. For her treachery, Zeus tied anvils to Hera's ankles and hung her from the clouds with golden chains.
The irregular shape of Kos is attributed to a violent confrontation between the god Poseidon and a renegade Giant named Polybotes. Poseidon ripped off a portion of Kos and crushed Polybotes. The ripped off portion became the island of Nisyros,3 which seems to fit nicely into the southwestern corner of Kos.
1. Kalydnai—presumed to be the islands of Leros and Kalymnos.
2. Book Two of the Iliad sometimes is referred to as the Catalogue of Ships because it includes details about the Achaians who sailed to Troy. The Trojan allies also are included but without as many specifics.
3. Also spelled Nisyrum
| References: Homer, Iliad book 2, line 677; book 14, line 255; book 15, line 28 Apollodorus, The Library I book 6.3 Strabo, Geography book 10.5.16 and 10.5.19 |