AUTOLYCUS, in Greek mythology, the father of Anticleia, mother of Odysseus. Later authors make Hermes his father. He lived at the foot of Mt. Parnassus, and was famous as a thief and swindler. On one occasion he met his match. Sisyphus, who had lost some cattle, suspected Autolycus of being the thief, but was unable to bring it home to him, since he possessed the power of changing everything that was touched by his hands. Sisyphus accordingly burned his name into the hoofs of his cattle and, dur ing a visit to Autolycus, recognized his property. It is said that on this occasion Sisyphus seduced Autolycus's daughter Anticleia and that Odysseus was really the son of Sisyphus, not of Laertes, whom Anticleia afterwards married. The object of the story is to establish the close connection between Hermes, the god of theft and cunning, and the three persons—Sisyphus, Odysseus, Autol ycus—who are the incarnate representations of these practices.