Armand, Seigneur de Sillègue, d'Athos, et d'Autevielle ("Lord of Sillègue, Athos, and Autevielle"), better known as Armand d'Athos (c. 1615 – December 21, 1643), was a Gascon Black Musketeer[1] of the Maison du Roi in 17th-century France. He took his name from the small market town of Athos-Aspis on the Gave d'Oloron, close to Sauveterre-de-Béarn and Autevielle.[2] Athos was the first cousin once removed to the Comte de Troisville and first cousin of Isaac de Porthau.
According to the semi-fictional Mémoires de M. d'Artagnan, he formed a close friendship with Henri d'Aramitz and the aforementioned de Porthau, and they were called the "three brothers".[3] [4] He served as the inspiration for Alexandre Dumas's character Athos in The d'Artagnan Romances.
Perhaps a nobleman,[5] Athos was born in Béarn, France around 1615 to Seigneur Adrien de Sillègue d'Athos d'Autevielle de Cassaber and the sister of the Comte de Troisville.[3]
According to the Mémoires of the Comte d'Artagnan, d'Artagnan saved Athos's life at the Pré aux Clercs.[3] After joining the Musketeers of the Guard in 1640, Athos maintained his friendship with d'Artagnan.[3]
Athos was killed in a duel on December 21, 1643, and was buried at the Pré aux Clercs near Paris.[3] [6]