Just curious where the name came from. I know what all the other units were in history but I can't find myrmidon, anyone help me?
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In Greek, myrmidon means "ant" and the Myrmidons were Achilles's guys in the Trojan War. I always found it interesting that they were named for ants... Perhaps someone else knows the whole etymological tale of that little intrigue.
On a side note, I believe that for some reason Formica (the kitchen laminate of yore) took its name from the Latin word for ant. But I can't prove it.
I have no idea who the Myrmillons are. Mrs. Malaprop's guys in the Trojan War maybe?
JLB
Jennifer Benedict College of William and Mary
The Fenris Wolf Banned
posted 16 November 2002 01:45 PM
EDT (US)
3 / 4
A northern greek warrior tribe that was loyal to Acilles, and carried out all his orders no matter how cruel...
shelper HG Alumnus
(id: Smileyshelper)
posted 16 November 2002 02:07 PM
EDT (US)
4 / 4
There is a chapter in bullfinch's mythology book about the myrmidons.
Cephalus lost all his men to a disease and when he looked on an ant hill he asked appollo to give him new men as numerous as those. Apallo granted his request and the ants grew larger in size untill they were the shape of men.