The Sixth Pythian and the Second Isthmian both commemorate victories of Thero's brother Xenocrates. They are addressed, however, not to the victor himself, but to his son Thrasybulus. Pindar dwells warmly on the generous hospitality and kindliness of both father and son, and on the strong affection—honourable to both—which existed between them. In the race which forms the theme of the Sixth Pythian, Thrasybulus seems to have acted as charioteer to his father—and this incident suggests to Pindar the legend of another son who had rendered good service to his father Antilochus, son of the aged Nestor. In a skirmish under the walls of Troy, Nestor found himself in imminent danger; the terrible Memnon's spear was already uplifted to slay him, and in dismay he called to his son for aid—
"Nor wasted on the earth his words he flung:
Firm the hero stood,
And for his father gave his blood.
Thus in his day to all the young
Seemed that achiever of a deed of might
Pattern most fair of filial bravery."
"All of this is now gone by," adds the poet; but of the men of our own time Thrasybulus comes nearest to the old type of loyal sonship. And in other things, too, he is a worthy nephew of Thero—generous, pure, modest, cultured, and valiant—
"Kind of heart, and such a friend
To all that share in his feasts, as ne'er
So sweet was fretwork of the bee!"
