CALCHAS

[Greek heroic] The famous Greek soothsayer in the Trojan War. He told the Greeks that the aid of Achilles was essential for the taking of the city. Furthermore, he said that Iphigenia had to be sacrificed before the fleet could sail from Aulis, and that the siege would take ten years. Calchas died of disappointment when beaten in a trial of skill by the prophet Mopsus at Colophon.