In Greek mythology, Protesilaus was the son of Iphicles and the leader of the Phylaceans.

An oracle had prophesied that the first Greek to walk on the land after stepping off a ship in the Trojan War would be the first to die. Protesilaus fulfilled this prophesy. His wife, Laodamia, followed him to his death. Alternatively, Hector killed Protesilaus and Laodamia killed herself in grief.

After Protesilaus' death, his brother, Podarces, joined the war in his place.

Ovid XII, 68, also referred to in Catullus poem 68(b)