MYRMIDON

in Greek legend, any of the inhabitants of Phthiotis in Thessaly. According to some authorities, the Myrmidons later crossed over from Thessaly to Aegina. Their name derives from one of two sources: (1) a supposed ancestor, son of Zeus and Eurymedusa, the daughter of King Myrmidon of Thessaly, who was seduced by Zeus in the form of an ant (Greek myrmex), or (2) the re-peopling of Aegina (after all its inhabitants had died of a plague) with ants changed into men by Zeus at the prayer of Aeacus, king of the island. As the fierce and devoted followers of the hero Achilles, their name came to be applied in modern times to subordinates who carry out orders implacably.