Megapenthes

In Greek mythology, Megapenthes /ˌmɛɡəˈpɛnˌθiːz/ (Greek: Μεγαπένθης Megapénthēs) is a name that refers to two characters: Megapenthes of Argos, a son of Proetus, and Megapenthes of Sparta, a son of Menelaus.

Megapenthes of Argos

Megapenthes of Argos was a son of Proetus[1] and exchanged kingdoms (Argos for Tiryns) with his cousin Perseus,[2][3] whom he killed much later.[4] He was the father of Argeus and possibly Anaxagoras (or else Anaxagoras was his grandson through Argeus). He also had a daughter Iphianeira, who married Melampus.[5][6]

Regnal titles
Preceded by
Proetus		 King of Tiryns Succeeded by
Perseus
Regnal titles
Preceded by
Perseus		 King of Argos Succeeded by
Argeus

Megapenthes of Sparta

Megapenthes of Sparta son of Menelaus, who ruled after his father's death and sent his mother (or step-mother) Helen into exile.[7] In some legends, Helen was his mother; in most, however, he was Menelaus's son by a concubine, Pieris or Tereis,[8][9] and was born during the Trojan War. His name means "great sorrow" and he is named that because he was conceived while Menelaus was grieving the loss of Helen.

He marries the daughter of Alector in the beginning of Book IV of The Odyssey, whose name was Iphiloche or Echemela.[10]

At the death of their father, Megapenthes and his brother or half-brother Nicostratus[11][12] together seized the throne of Sparta and drove Helen out. They were depicted on the throne in Amyclae riding the same horse.[13]

References

  1. ↑ Pseudo-Apollodorus. Bibliotheca. 2.2.2.
  2. ↑ Pseudo-Apollodorus, Bibliotheca 2. 4. 4
  3. ↑ Pausanias, Description of Greece, 2. 16. 3
  4. ↑ Hyginus, Fabulae, 244
  5. ↑ Diodorus Siculus, Library of History, 4. 68. 4
  6. ↑ Pausanias, Description of Greece 2. 18. 4
  7. ↑ Pausanias, Description of Greece, 3.19.9
  8. ↑ Pseudo-Apollodorus, Bibliotheca 3. 11. 1
  9. ↑ Pausanias, Description of Greece, 2. 18. 6
  10. ↑ Homer. Odyssey. 4.10.
  11. ↑ Pausanias. Description of Greece. 2.18.6. calls Megapenthes and Nicostratus sons of a slave woman
  12. ↑ according to Pseudo-Apollodorus. Bibliotheca. 3.11.1. Nicostratus is the son of Helen
  13. ↑ Pausanias. Description of Greece. 3.18.13, 3.19.9.
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