Black figure painting of Greek hero, Diomedes. Diomedes, in Greek legend, the son of Tydeus, the Aetolian hero was one of the Seven Against Thebes in Aeschylus's tragedy. Diomedes was the commander of 80 Argive ships and one of the most respected leaders in the Trojan War. His famous exploits include the wounding of Aphrodite, the slaughter of Rhesus and his Thracians, and seizure of the Trojan Palladium, the sacred image of the goddess Pallas Athena that protected Troy. After the war Diomedes returned home to find that his wife had been unfaithful, Aphrodite's punishment, and that his claim to the throne of Argos was disputed. Fleeing for his life, he sailed to Italy and founded Argyripa, later Arpi, in Apulia, eventually making peace with the Trojans.