MYRMIDONS, MYRMIDONES, in antiquity; a people on the southern borders of Thessaly, who accompanied Achilles to the Trojan war. They received their name from Myrmidon, a son of Jupiter and Eurymedusa, who married one of the daughters of Aeolus, son of Helen. His son Actor married Aegina the daughter of Aeolus. He gave his name to his subjects, who dwelt near the river Peneus in Thessaly. According to some, the Myrmidons received their name from their having arisen from ants or pismires, upon a prayer put up for that purpose by King Aeacus to Jupiter, after his kingdom had been dispeopled by a severe pestilence. According to Strabo, they received it from their industry, because they initiated the diligence of the ants, and like them were indefatigable, and were continually employed in cultivating the earth.
MYRMILLONES were gladiators of a certain kind at Rome, who fought against the Retarii. Their arms were a sword, head-piece, and shield. On the top of the head-piece they wore a fish embossed, called Megavetes, whence their name is by some supposed to be derived. The Retarii, in their engagements, made use of a net, in which they endeavoured to entangle their adversaries, and sung during the fight, "Non te peto, piscem peto; quid me fugis, Galle?" "I aim not at thee, but I aim at thy fish; why dost thou shun me, O Gaul?" The Myrmillones were called Galli, because they wore Gallic armour. They were also named Scutatores. This kind of gladiators was suppressed by C. Ligula. See GLADIATORS, RETARI, &c.