1 Introduction
The first Greek towns were established on the Peloponnesus Peninsula during the "Great Flood of the Ogygus Period" in 1750 BC. The people who lived in the upper reaches of the Cephisus River, which flows from west to east on the north side of Mount Parnassus, and lost their homes due to the flood, set out for a new land.
The people led by the two sons of Inachus, Aegialeus (or Aezeius) and Phoroneus, entered the Peloponnesus Peninsula.
Aegialeus settled on the coastal area on the north side of the peninsula, while Phoroneus went further south and settled on the east side of a small hill (later Larisa) on the edge of the plain. [1]
The town founded by Aegialeus was called Aegialeia (later Sicyon), and the town founded by Phoroneus was called Phoroneus (later Argos). [2]
Later, Colaenus, who had been driven out by the first king of Athens, Cecrops, founded Colonides on the west side of the entrance to the Gulf of Messenia from Mirinous in Attica. [3]
Colonides' settlement in Peloponnesus took place about 200 years after the sons of Inachus.
2 Age of Phoroneus, son of Inachus (1750-1700 BC)
The chronicler Castor records that the first king of Argos was Inachus. However, it was Phoroneus, son of Inachus, who first reigned over Argos. [4]
2.1 The War with Telchines
Aegialeus, founder of Aegialeia, died.
Aegialeus had a son, Lycaon, who died before his father. [5]
Lycaon had a son, Hyperetus, who was still a boy. [6]
Phoroneus made his son Europs the successor to Phoroneus' brother Aegialeus. [7]
Europs was usurped from the throne by Telchin (or Telchis), a powerful man in Sicyon. [8]
Telchin became the third king of Sicyon. [9]
Phoroneus attacked Sicyon and fought against the Telchines, led by Telchin, but was defeated. [10]
In this battle, Phoroneus was supported by the Parrhasians, and the Telchines by the Caryatii. [11]
The Parrhasians were a tribe that lived in the southern part of Arcadia during the Roman period.
The Parrhasians were a noble tribe to which Lycaon, who sent many sons abroad, and Evander, who emigrated to Rome, belonged. [12]
The Caryatii were a tribe that lived in Tegea in Arcadia during the Roman period. [13]
2.2 Migration from Argos
In 1725 BC, Car, son of Phoroneus, migrated to Megara. [14]
In 1700 BC, Hermion, son of Europs, son of Phoroneus, migrated to the southeast coast of the Peloponnesus peninsula and founded Hermione. [15]
3 Age of Apis, son of Phoroneus (1700-1665 BC)
In 1700 BC, Phoroneus died and was succeeded by his son Apis. [16]
In 1690 BC, Apis won a battle against Sicyon and brought Sicyon under the control of Argos. [17]
Apis, the third king of Argos, became the fourth king of Sicyon. [18]
Apis became the ruler of Peloponnesus, which came to be called Apia after Apis. [19]
In 1665 BC, Apis was killed by Telchin and Thelxion, son of Telchin. [20]
4 Age of Argus, son of Niobe (1665-1630 BC)
In 1665 BC, Argus, son of Apis' sister Niobe, succeeded Apis. [21]
Argus' father is presumably Arcas, son of Themisto, daughter of Inachus. [22]
4.1 Changes in the royal lineage
Argus' descendants include Lycaon, the son of Pelasgus, who sent his sons to various places in Arcadia. Lycaon belonged to the Parrhasians. [23]
Argus' ancestor Phoroneus was a different tribe from the Parrhasians. [24]
But Lycaon, a descendant of Phoroneus, belonged to the Parrhasians.
Themisto's husband was probably the chief of the Parrhasians.
That means that Themisto's son Arcas and Niobe's son Argus were also Parrhasians.
4.2 Internal conflicts in Argos
Argus had two wives, Peitho and Evadne. Peitho was probably a Parrhasian, and Evadne was probably Phoroneus' granddaughter.
The tribe to which Phoroneus belonged and the Parrhasians each supported the sons of Argus, and conflict arose within Argos. It is believed that this internal conflict was the reason why Argus' sons, Tiryns and Epidaurus, left Argos and founded their own cities. [25]
5 Age of Peirasus, son of Argus (1630-1610 BC)
5.1 Successors of Argus
The chronicler Castor notes the name of Criasus as the next king of the Argives after Argus. [26]
However, Argus was probably succeeded by his son Peirasus (or Piras, Peiras, Peranthus, Piranthus) for the following reasons:
1) Hyginus lists Argus' son Piranthus after Argus in his enumeration of the kings of the Argives. [27]
2) Argus, the father of Peirasus, made a statue of Hera. Peirasus founded a temple to house the statue. [28]
5.2 Foundation of the Temple of Hera
In 1620 BC, Peirasus founded the Temple of Hera 7.4 km north-northeast of Argos. [29]
Peirasus appointed his daughter Callithyia as the first priestess of the Temple of Hera. [30]
6 Age of Triops, son of Peirasus (1610-1600 BC)
Peirasus was succeeded by his son Triops. [31]
6.1 Civil War of Argos
It is believed that a major civil war occurred in Argos around 1600 BC.
The reasons for this are as follows:
1) In retaliation for this civil war, the descendants of Phorbas, the son of Criasus, the son of Argus, migrated from Argos to various places in 1560 BC.
2) As a result of this civil war, Mycenae grew in size, and in the civil war of 1560 BC, Mycenae became the overlord of Peloponnesus. [32]
3) It is believed that Argus, the son of Agenor, the son of Ecbasus, the son of Argus, migrated to Argion (later Mycenae) around 1600 BC. [33]
6.2 Usurpation
It is believed that the cause of this civil war in Argos was the usurpation of the throne by Phorbas, the son of Criasus.
Triops, son of Peirasus, had two brothers, Argus and Arestorides. [34]
After Triops, however, the kingship of Argos passed to the descendants of Criasus, son of Argus, son of Niobe. [35]
It is believed that Phorbas, son of Criasus, killed the sons of Peirasus, son of Argus, Triops, Argus, and Arestorides, and usurped the throne.
7 Age of Phorbas, son of Criasus (1600-1590 BC)
The ruler of Argos became Phorbas, son of Criasus.
The chronicler Castor records the kings after Argus, son of Niobe, as Criasus and Phorbas, not Peirasus and Triops. [36]
Argus, son of Agenor, son of Ecbasus, brother of Peirasus, who sided with Triops, son of Peirasus, during the civil war, fled Argos and settled in Mycenae. [37]
Argus was called many-eyed or All-seeing. [38]
Argus was a man of foresight who could see into everything.
Mycenae came to be called Argion after the name of Argus. [39]
8 Age of Triopas, son of Phorbas (1590-1565 BC)
Phorbas was succeeded by his son Triopas. [40]
8.1 Expulsion of Trochilus
In 1561 BC, Trochilus, a mystic priest of Argos, was exiled by Agenor, son of Triopas, and moved to Eleusis. [41]
Trochilus was the son of Callithyia, a priestess of the temple of Hera in Argos. [42]
After this, Agenor's niece Io became the priestess of the temple of Hera. [43]
8.2 War with Mycenae
The expulsion of Trochilus was the beginning of Mycenae's attack on Argos.
Mycenae was home to Argus, son of Agenor, who had been driven out of Argos by siding with Trochilus' uncle Triops. [44]
Argus married Ismene, daughter of Thurimachus, the seventh king of Sicyon. [45]
Argus' son Messapus married Calchinia, daughter of Leucippus, the eighth king of Sicyon. [46]
Through these marriages, Mycenae controlled Sicyon.
Telchines, who had migrated from Sicyon to Crete, also lived in Mycenae. [47]
During the time of Apis, son of Phoroneus, Sicyon and Argos were fighting on an equal footing.
However, after the time of the sons of Argus, son of Niobe, the tribe of Phoroneus, who lived in Argos, migrated to other places, and the Parrhasians remained in Argos.
9 Age of Crotopus, son of Pelasgus, son of Triopas (1565-1560 BC)
Triopas was succeeded by his grandson Crotopus. [48]
In 1560 BC, the inhabitants of Argos migrated to other places after being attacked by Messapus, son of Argus, of Mycenae.
The sons of Triopas, Agenor, Pelasgus, Anthus, and Eurisabe, are thought to have been killed in battle with Messapus. [49]
9.1 Migration to Egypt, Lycia, and Lesbos
Iasus set sail from the Peloponnesus peninsula with a colony that included his brother Xanthus and his daughter Io. Along the way, Xanthus colonized Lycia. The colony, including Iasus and his daughter Io, continued on and arrived in Egypt. [50]
9.1.1 Migration of Xanthus
After Xanthus had colonized the Xanthus River basin in Lycia, Xanthus himself sailed further north to search for better land. [51]
Xanthus's companion, Cyrnus, founded Cyrnus on the peninsula across from Rhodes. [52]
Xanthus himself colonized an uninhabited island called Issa. [53]
The island was called Pelasgia until 200 years later, when it was named Lesbos after a new settler, Lesbos, son of Lapithes. [54]
9.1.2 Migration of Iasus and his daughter Io
Iasus' daughter Io married Telegonus of Sais, son of the founder of Sais, who had emigrated from Boeotia to Egypt a generation earlier. [55]
The 4th century BC historian Callisthenes of Olynthus and the 3rd century BC historian Phanodemus of Athens say that the inhabitants of Sais were descendants of Athenians. [56]
Io's son Epaphus expanded his power and founded Memphis. [57]
Herodotus says that in the time of Cranaus, the inhabitants of Athens were Pelasgians, called Cranaans. [58]
Cranaus was the son of Io, and it is believed that the Pelasgians who migrated with Io from Argos to Egypt also migrated with Cranaus to Athens. [59]
Io was a priestess at the temple of Hera in Argos, and was called Isis in Egypt. [60]
9.2 Migration to Arcadia
Pelasgus, the son of Agenor, brother of Iasus, emigrated to the foot of Mount Lycaeus (today's Mt. Lykaion, 1,421m above sea level) in Arcadia, 70 km west-southwest of Argos. Pelasgus discovered edible oak nuts and told the people about them. [61]
9.3 Migration to Thessaly
A group centered around the family of Larisa, daughter of Pelasgus, son of Triopas, emigrated to Thessaly. [62]
The Pelasgians, who migrated from Argos with Larisa, lived in the area between Larisa on the Peneius River in northern Thessaly and the coast to the southeast. [63]
The lands inhabited by Larisa's three sons, Achaeus, Phthius, and Pelasgus, came to be called Achaia, Phthiotis, and Pelasgiotis, respectively. [64]
9.4 Migration to Megara
Crotopus, son of Pelasgus, son of Triopas, migrated to the foot of Mount Geraneia in Megara and founded the Tripodiskion. [65]
10 Argos after the Great Migration (1560-1430 BC)
10.1 Domination by Mycenae
In 1560 BC, Argos came under Mycenae.
The main inhabitants of Argos were no longer Parrhasians but the tribe of Phoroneus.
Mycenae dominated most of the inhabitants of the Peloponnesus Peninsula except Arcadia, and became a great power through overseas trade activities. [66]
Argos also prospered along with Mycenae.
Argos was ruled by the descendants of Messapus until Gelanor, son of Sthenelas.
10.2 Tradition
The events in Argos from the great migration from Argos in 1560 BC until the appearance of Danaus in 1430 BC are unknown.
Pausanias reports that the tomb of Linus, son of Psamathe, daughter of Crotopus, king of Argos, was in Argos. [67]
Pausanias also reports that the tomb of Crotopus was in Argos. [68]
It is not believed that Crotopus or his grandson, who were banished from Argos, were able to return to Argos, so it is assumed to be a false tomb.
11 Age of Danaus, son of Belus (1430-1420 BC)
11.1 Lineage of Danaus
In 1560 BC, Io, daughter of Iasus, emigrated from Argos to Egypt, married Telegonus of Sais, and had Epaphus. [69]
Libya, daughter of Epaphus, had three sons: Agenor, Belus, and Lelex. [70]
Danaus, son of Belus, and Lynceus, son of Aegyptus, son of Belus, were residents of Chemmis in the Nile Delta. [71]
So Danaus was the son of Belus, son of Libya, daughter of Epaphus, son of Io, who emigrated from Argos to Egypt.
11.2 Migration of Danaus
In 1430 BC, Danaus migrated from Egypt to Argos.
11.2.1 Description of Manetho
The 1st century AD historian Josephus, quoting the 3rd century BC historian Manetho, reports:
"During the reign of King Misphragmuthosis, those expelled from all parts of Egypt were besieged in a place called Auaris, which was surrounded by a wall and guarded by 240,000 soldiers. The besieged were released on the condition that they leave Egypt. The people who were released from Auaris left Egypt with their families and fled across the desert to Syria."[72]
The 3rd century AD historian Sextus Julius Africanus reports the names of the pharaohs of the 18th Dynasty of Egypt as recorded by Manetho.
According to him, Misphragmuthosis was the sixth pharaoh.
Misphragmuthosis is therefore presumably another name for Thutmose III, the sixth pharaoh of the 18th Dynasty of Egypt. Thutmose III was the conqueror who expanded ancient Egypt to its greatest extent. He died in 1425 BC.[73]
11.2.2 Comparison with Hecataeus's account
Manetho reports that people who fled across the desert to Syria founded Jerusalem in a land called Judaea. [74]
The third century BC historian Hecataeus of Abdera also reports the same thing. [75]
Hecataeus writes that the most famous of the many pagan leaders who were expelled from Egypt were Danaus and Cadmus.
11.2.3 Presumption
In 1430 BC, people who had migrated from Greece to Egypt lived in Sais, Thebes, Memphis, and Chemmis.
Danaus, son of Belus, lived in Chemmis. [76]
Danaus's tribe, Danaya (Tanaju), paid tribute to Thutmose III. [77]
From the above, it can be presumed that :
The people who lived in the Nile Delta rebelled against Thutmose III, but were expelled from their homes and took refuge in Auaris (or Avaris, Athyria).
The Auaris included not only people who had migrated from Greece to Egypt, but also Jews.
The Jews migrated overland across the desert to Syria.
The people who had migrated from Greece to Egypt, led by Danaus and Agenor, migrated by sea to the Peloponnesus Peninsula and Syria.
11.2.4 Migration to Colchis
If Manetho's account is accurate, it is estimated that hundreds of thousands of people migrated from Egypt to various places at this time.
Hecataeus reports that most of the people who fled Egypt settled in the countryside not far from Egypt.
However, some of the people who fled Egypt settled in Colchis in Pontus. [78]
Their leader is unknown, but it was 40 years before Aeetes, the son of Sisyphus, migrated from Ephyra (later Corinth) to Colchis.
11.3 Danaus' companions
Fleeing Egypt with Danaus were his brother Aegyptus and his uncles Agenor and Lelex.
Danaus' uncle Agenor did not go to Greece, but settled in Sidon in Phoenicia on the way. [79]
Danaus migrated to his ancestral home of Argos. [80]
Aegyptus settled in the northwest of the Peloponnesus Peninsula. The tomb of Aegyptus, son of Belus, was in Patrae. [81]
Lelex settled in the middle of the Eurotas River in the south of the Peloponnesus Peninsula. Lelex then left the area to his son Myles and moved to Megara. [82]
Car, son of Phoroneus, had previously moved to Megara from Argos, Lelex's ancestral homeland, in 1725 BC. [83]
Crotopus, son of Pelasgus, had also moved to Megara in 1560 BC. [84]
11.4 Danaus' real name
Pausanias states in five places in his books that Triopas was the father of Messene, wife of Polycaon, son of Lelex. [85]
Pausanias also writes that Triopas, who lived in Argos, was the leader of the Greeks at that time, due to his fame and power. [86]
At the time of Polycaon and Messene's marriage, Danaus ruled Argos, and Triopas was probably Danaus' real name.
The Chronicle of Thutmose III records that tribute was paid from the land of Danaya (Tanaju), which is presumed to be the Greeks. [87]
Danaya was the name of the tribe of Belus, father of Danaus, and Danaus is thought to have been a coined word created from that tribe, like a human name.
Alternatively, Danaus may have been the father of Belus and the husband of Belus' mother Libya, and the grandson was named after his grandfather.
The name of Danaus' twin brother Aegyptus also seems to have been coined.
11.5 Recapture of Argos
When Danaus appeared, Argos was ruled by Gelanor, the son of Sthenelas (Stheneleus, Sthenelus), a descendant of Argus' son Messapus. [88]
Danaus fought Gelanor and recaptured Argos. [89]
Argos was a city that had been taken by Gelanor's ancestor Messapus, 130 years earlier, from Io, the daughter of Danaus' ancestor Iasus.
Gelanor, defeated by Danaus, fled to Sicyon. [90]
11.6 Destruction of Mycenae
Although there is no legend about it, it is assumed that Danaus destroyed Mycenae.
Later, during the time of Danaus' grandson Abas, Argos fought against Sicyon, but Mycenae does not appear in the legend.
It is likely that Mycenae was destroyed by Danaus, and the inhabitants of Mycenae fled to Sicyon.
12 Age of Lynceus, son-in-law of Danaus (1420-1413 BC)
The names of Danaus' 12 daughters are known, but the names of his sons are not known.
Danaus was succeeded by Lynceus, son of Aegyptus, husband of Danaus' eldest daughter Hypermnestra. [91]
12.1 Marriages with the Achaeans
In 1420 BC, Achaeus, son of Xuthus, who was then living in Melitaea in Thessaly, returned to Aegialus, north of the Peloponnesus. [92]
Achaeus moved to Melitaea, where his father had been banished, but he left Thessaly due to the chaos caused by the migration of Cadmus and the Thracians. Many of the people who would later be called Achaeans moved with him from Thessaly to Aegialus.
In 1408 BC, Achaeus' two sons, Archander and Architeles, married two daughters of Danaus, Scaea and Automate, respectively. [93]
13 Age of Abas, son of Lynceus (1413-1387 BC)
In 1413 BC, Lynceus died and was succeeded by his son Abas. [94]
13.1 Lamedon's Occupation of Argos
Pausanias reports that Lamedon of Sicyon fought against the two sons of Achaeus, Archander and Architeles. [95]
However, the Lamedon who appears in the genealogy of the kings of Sicyon is two generations later than Archander.
Lamedon who fought against Archander was presumably the son of Gelanor, who fled to Sicyon after being driven out of Argos by Danaus. [96]
In 1408 BC, Abas (or Triopas) succeeded Lynceus, and in the fifth year, Lamedon occupied Argos. [97]
13.2 Migration to Phocis
Abas, fleeing from Argos, founded Abae in Phocis. [98]
The people who had migrated to Greece with Abas' grandfather Danaus lived in Troezen, Lacedaemon, and Megara.
It is unclear why Abas migrated to Phocis instead of to those towns.
Near Daulis in Phocis lived the Thracians, who had migrated from Thracia some time earlier under the leadership of Tereus. [99]
13.3 Migration to Arcadia
Strabo reports that Mantineia in Arcadia was founded on the basis of five settlements founded by the Argives. [100]
This Mantineia is probably the former city that was called Ptolis when the new city was established. The town founded by Mantineus, son of Lycaon, was on the site of Ptolis. [101]
Mantineus' daughter Aglaia married Abas, son of Lynceus, probably due to the migration from Argos. [102]
The leader of the migration was Amphianax, son of Antimachus, son of Aegyptus, and Midea, daughter of Danaus. The tomb of Maera, daughter of Antiaia, daughter of Amphianax, was near Mantineia. [103]
Amphianax's father Antimachus was the brother of Abas' father Lynceus, and Amphianax and Abas were cousins.
The motivation for Amphianax's migration, like that of Abas, was the occupation of Argos by Lamedon, and his migration is estimated to have taken place in 1408 BC.
13.4 Battle of Sicyon
In 1407 BC, Achaeus' two sons, Archander and Architeles, expelled Lamedon, who had occupied Argos, and occupied Sicyon. [104]
Marathonius, son of Deucalion of Locris, also participated in the battle and married Chrysorthe, daughter of Orthopolis of Sicyon. [105]
Marathonius' father, Deucalion's father, Dorus, was the brother of Xuthus, father of Achaeus, father of Archander, and Marathonius was Archander's second cousin.
In addition, Sisyphus, son of Aeolus, joined Archander and founded Ephyra (later Corinth) on the east side of Sicyon after the battle. [106]
Sisyphus' father, Aeolus, was the brother of Xuthus, the father of Archander's father, Achaeus, and Sisyphus was Archander's father's cousin.
Archander restored Abas, the son of Lynceus, who had fled to Phocis, to the throne of Argos and became the guardian of the minor Abas. [107]
Archander was the husband of the sister of Abas' mother, Hypermnestra, and was Abas' uncle-in-law. [108]
After the battle, many Achaeans moved to Argos with Archander.
13.5 Migration to Messenia
In 1405 BC, Polycaon, son of Lelex, migrated from Lacedaemon to Messenia and founded Andania. Many people from Argos, the birthplace of Polycaon's wife Messene, participated in the founding of the city. [109]
These people were presumably the Achaeans who had migrated to Argos from Thessaly via Aegialus with Archander some time earlier. This is evidenced by the fact that when Polycaon's descendants died out, the inhabitants of Andania welcomed their leader from Thessaly. [110]
As a result of this migration, the Achaeans came to inhabit a wide area from Corinth to Andania in Messenia.
13.6 Migration to Egypt
In 1402 BC, after the tutelage of Abas ended, Archander, son of Achaeus, migrated to the Nile Delta in Egypt and founded Archandropolis. [111]
Near Archandropolis was Chemmis, where Archander's wife Scaea spent her childhood. [112]
Archander was accompanied by his wife Cyrene, whom he had married in Thessaly, and her son Aristaeus. [113]
14 Age of Proetus, son of Abas (1387-1370 BC)
14.1 Exile of Acrisius
In 1387 BC, after the death of Abas, son of Lynceus, Proetus, son of Abas, exiled his twin brother Acrisius from Argos. [114]
The two were estimated to be 13 years old at the time, and this was not an act of their own will, but a factional dispute between the forces that supported them.
The inhabitants of Argos at that time were roughly divided into two groups.
The first group was the Achaeans, who had migrated to Argos from Thessaly with the two sons of Achaeus, Archander and Architeles.
The second group was the Pelasgians, who had lived in Argos for a long time.
Based on the actions of Acrisius after the exile, it is assumed that the Achaeans supported Acrisius, and the Pelasgians supported Proetus.
14.2 Migration to Egypt
Expelled from Argos, Acrisius took refuge with Archander, the guardian of his father Abas, who had emigrated from Argos to Egypt some time before. [115]
Acrisius married Aganippe, presumably the daughter of Archander and Scaea, and had a daughter, Danae. [116]
14.3 Foundation of the Temple of Hera
In 1375 BC, Proetus founded the temple of Hera near the coast of Sicyon. [117]
The area was called Aegialus in ancient times, and Archander, the guardian of Proetus' father Abas, lived there. [118]
The influence of Argos seems to have been in the area since the time of Abas.
15 Age of Acrisius, son of Abas (1370-1339 BC)
15.1 Return from Egypt
In 1370 BC, Acrisius returned home after 17 years and recaptured Argos from Proetus. [119]
It is believed that Nauplius, the founder of Nauplia, helped Acrisius return. [120]
Nauplius' mother was Amymone, daughter of Danaus, and his father was an Egyptian who had immigrated to Argos with Danaus. [121]
Later, Dictys, son of Peristhenes, son of Damastor, son of Nauplius, became the patron of Perseus, grandson of Acrisius. [122]
15.2 Migration to Arcadia
According to legend, Proetus, banished by Acrisius, went into exile in Lycia.
However, this legend is likely a fabrication created by confusing Bellerophon, who had emigrated to Lycia, with Proetus inviting Cyclopes from Lycia. [123]
Proetus went into exile in Mantineia, Arcadia, the birthplace of his mother Aglaia. [124]
15.3 Proetus' Marriage
Amphianax, who lived in Mantineia, was the son of Antimachus, the brother of Lynceus, the father of Abas, the father of Proetus. Amphianax was therefore a cousin of Proetus' father.
In Mantineia, Proetus married Steneboea, the daughter of Amphianax. [125]
Steneboea was a second cousin of Proetus.
15.4 Battle of Acrisius and Proetus
In 1368 BC, Proetus, with the help of Amphianax, captured Tiryns. [126]
Proetus fought Acrisius of Argos, but to no avail. [127]
The two sides made a peace agreement, with Acrisius taking Argos and Proetus taking Tiryns, Heraeum, Mideia, and the coastal areas of Argolis. [128]
Afterwards, Proetus invited Cyclopes from Lycia to strengthen the walls of Tiryns. [129]
15.5 Successors of Acrisius
Acrisius had a son named Philammon, who was killed in battle against the Phlegyans, who had ravaged Delpi, in 1350 BC. [130]
The battle against the Phlegyans was waged by Acrisius, who had many Achaeans among his inhabitants, as part of the Amphictyons. Acrisius organized the Amphictyons. [131]
Acrisius also had a son named Apesantus, who became the godfather of a mountain near the river Inachus, but died in an accident. [132]
15.6 Emigration from Egypt
In 1349 BC, Acrisius, who had lost his heir, summoned Perseus, the son of Danae, who lived in Egypt, to Argos to become his successor. Tradition has it that Perseus was forcibly taken from his mother Danae. However, Danae had at least one other son named Daunus. [133]
Tradition has it that Danae's bronze chamber was in Argos. [134]
However, Danae was born in Egypt and never lived in Argos.
15.7 Exile from Argos
In 1343 BC, Perseus murdered Acrisius' brother Proetus and went into exile on the island of Seriphus, where he was protected by Dictys and his wife Clymene. [135]
Dictys was the son of Peristhenes, son of Damastor, son of Nauplius, son of Amymone, daughter of Danaus. [136]
Nauplius was the founder of Nauplia, and his father migrated with Danaus from Egypt to the Peloponnesus peninsula. Dictys and Perseus were of the same race, sharing a common ancestor with Danaus. [137]
The 2nd century AD writer Apollodoros, perhaps referring to the 7th century BC epic poet Hesiod, reports that Dictys and Polydectes were the sons of Magnes, son of Aeolus. However, Hesiod does not mention their connection to Perseus or the island of Seriphus. [138]
Seriphus was close to Nauplia and was probably a fishing base and a supply point for the sea route from Argos to Crete and other places.
15.8 Marriage of Perseus
Perseus went to Cepheus, the son of Belus, who lived in the land of the Ethiopians, and married his daughter Andromeda. [139]
The land of the Ethiopians was located near the mouth of the Aesepus River in the northwest of the Anatolia Peninsula. There was the village of Memnon, and the tomb of Memnon, the son of Tithonus, who led the Ethiopians to Troy. [140]
The inhabitants of the area near the mouth of the Aesepus River were probably called Ethiopians because their physique and appearance resembled those of the Ethiopians who lived in the south of Egypt.
Cepheus was an immigrant from Egypt, and the following can be inferred from the marriage of Perseus and Andromeda.
Cepheus' father Belus was an Egyptian of Greek descent who lived in Egypt. Belus' father is presumably Archander, son of Achaeus, who emigrated from Argos to Egypt and founded Archandropolis in the Nile Delta. Perseus' father is likely to have been Pilumnus, son of Metanastes, son of Archander. [141]
So Andromeda was a second cousin of Perseus.
15.9 The Introduction of Medicine
The Suda Dictionary states that Egyptian Apis brought medicine to Greece, and Asclepius developed the technique. [142]
Aeschylus writes that Apis came from Naupactus, on the other side of the Argives' land, and cured the plague. [143]
The two Apis are likely to be the same person.
However, Naupactus in Ozolian Locris was a town founded by Temenus, son of Aristomachus, at the time of the return of the Heracleidae. [144]
Asclepius lived before the return of the Heracleidae, and Apis who introduced the art of medicine lived before Asclepius. [145]
The Naupactus written by Aeschylus is a mistake for Nauplia, and the relationship between Apis and Asclepius is presumed to be as follows:
The founder of Nauplia was Nauplius, the son of Amymone, the daughter of Danaus, and the inhabitants of the city were immigrants from Egypt. [146]
It is assumed that Apis, who had medical knowledge, accompanied Acrisius from Egypt to Greece. [147]
Acrisius' wife was Eurydice, the daughter of Lacedaemon. [148]
Diomede, the wife of Eurydice's brother Amyclas, was the daughter of Lapithus, the ancestor of the Lapiths who lived in Thessaly. [149]
Asclepius was the son of Ischys, the son of Elatus (or Eilatus), the son of Periphas, the brother of Diomede.
It is assumed that Apis' medical knowledge was first passed on to the Lapiths, and then Asclepius developed the technique. [150]
15.10 Death of Acrisius
There are many legends about the death of Acrisius, but they are all fiction. [151]
Acrisius died at the age of 61 and was buried in Larisa.
This Larisa was not the Larisa of Thessaly mentioned by Pausanias and Apollodoros. [152]
Acrisius' tomb was in the temple of Athena in the Acropolis of Argos. [153]
The Acropolis of Argos was called Larisa. [154]
16 Age of Megapenthes, son of Proetus (1339-1310 BC)
After the death of Acrisius in 1339 BC, Megapenthes, son of Proetus, moved to Argos. [155]
Megapenthes was the direct grandson of Abas, king of Argos, and had the right to inherit Argos. Thus, the main inhabitants of Argos changed from the Achaeans to the Pelasgians.
16.1 Conflict with Mycenae
In 1334 BC, Perseus returned to the Peloponnesus peninsula with the help of the Dictys of the island of Seriphus and the Ethiopians. Together with the Achaeans who had been driven out of Argos, Perseus captured Tiryns and founded Mycenae, which he surrounded with strong walls. [156]
In 1310 BC, Megapenthes killed Perseus and avenged his father Proetus. [157]
The conflict that had continued since the time of Acrisius and Perseus turned into a conflict between the Pelasgian city Argos and the Achaean city Mycenae.
When Eurystheus of Mycenae attacked the sons of Heracles in Attica in 1217 BC, Argos did not send troops to help Eurystheus.
Also, when the Argives attacked Thebes in 1215 BC, the Mycenaeans did not take part in the expedition.[158]
17 Age of Argeus, son of Megapenthes (1310-1295 BC)
Megapenthes was succeeded by his son Argeus. [159]
17.1 Conflict with Abae
The fate of Abae, founded by Abas, son of Lynceus, is unknown.
However, there are three clues that give us information about its fate.
1) Strabo presents the theory that the Abantes of Euboea were Thracians who came to the island from Aba in Phocis. [160]
2) Hyginus reports that "Abas killed Megapenthes because of his father Lynceus." [161]
3) The philosopher Aristippus, who lived in the 4th century BC, mentions Abas' son Deucalion in "The history of Arcadia." [162]
From the above clues, the following can be inferred.
Abas, son of Lynceus, had a wife from Mantineia in Arcadia and was closely related to Arcadia. [163]
Deucalion, mentioned by Aristippus, was the son of Abas, son of Lynceus, and inherited Abae, which Abas founded. [164]
Abas, who killed Megapenthes, was the father of Chalcodon, and Abas's father was Lynceus, who was killed by Megapenthes. [165]
That Lynceus was the son of Deucalion, who inherited Abae, and it is believed that Lynceus sided with Acrisius in the conflict between Acrisius and Proetus.
The ancestor of the Abantes in Euboea was Abas, son of Lynceus, son of Deucalion, brother of Acrisius.
In 1310 BC, Abas emigrated from Abae in Phocis to Chalcis in Euboea. [166]
17.2 Migration to Achaia
In 1300 BC, Pellen, son of Phorbas, son of Triopas, migrated from Argos to Achaia and founded Pellene, west-northwest of Sicyon. [167]
Amphion and Asterius (or Asterion), sons of Pellen's son Hyperasius (or Hippasus), appear in the story of the Argonauts' expedition as participants from Pellene. [168]
Abas, son of Lynceus of Argos, was also called Triopas. [169]
There is no problem in chronology if Pellen's father Phorbas is also called Abas.
It is likely that Pellen, grandson of Abas, was involved in the conflict between Perseus, grandson of Acrisius, and Megapenthes, son of Proetus, and so he migrated.
In 1375 BC, Proetus founded a temple to Hera near the coast of Sicyon, suggesting that Argos had influence in the area where Pellen had settled. [170]
18 Age of Anaxagoras, son of Argeus (1295-1260 BC)
Argeus was succeeded by his son Anaxagoras. [171]
18.1 The Cession of Argos
When Anaxagoras inherited Argos, Mycenae was ruled by Sthenelus, the son of Perseus. Sthenelus married Pelops' daughter Nicippe (or Archippe), and his three brothers also married Pelops' daughters, and Mycenae was becoming increasingly powerful. [172]
In 1290 BC, Anaxagoras ceded part of Argos to Melampus and Bias, two sons of Amythaon. [173]
Anaxagoras wanted to make them his co-residents and oppose Mycenae.
Melampus and Bias married Megapenthes' two daughters, Iphianeira and Lysippe, respectively. [174]
Thus, Melampus and Bias were Anaxagoras' uncles-in-law.
18.2 Migration to Boeotia
In 1275 BC, Hyettus, who lived in Argos, murdered Molurus, son of Arisbas. Hyettus emigrated to Boeotia, and was given land north of Lake Copais by Orchomenus, son of Minyas, and founded Hyettus. [175]
Since Orchomenus, son of Minyas, belonged to Aeolis, Hyettus is likely the son of Bias, who also belonged to Aeolis.
18.3 Migration to Calydon
The Hyettus incident led to conflicts between Melampus' two sons, Abas (or Manto, Mantius) and Mantius (or Antiphates).
In 1264 BC, Mantius fled to Calydon, where his aunt Aeolia was married. [176]
Then, Mantius' son Oecles (or Oicles, Oileus, Oecleus) married Hypermnestra, daughter of Thestius of Pleuron. [177]
Aeolia was the wife of Calydon, the brother of Thestius' father Pleuron.
Thus, Oecles married the daughter of Thestius, who was the nephew-in-law of Aeolia, the sister of his grandfather Melampus.
19 Age of Alector, son of Anaxagoras (1260-1235 BC)
Anaxagoras was succeeded by his son Alector. [178]
19.1 The Visit of Dionysus
In 1250 BC, a group of people who carried the rites of Dionysus visited Argos. [179]
The group was led by Oenarus (or Dionysus), a priest of Dionysus from the island of Naxos, and his wife Ariadne.
The group of Dionysus included the daughters of Oenarus and the daughters of Leucippus, son of Naxos. [180]
Their guest was Melampus, son of Amythaon. [181]
Ariadne, daughter of Minos, died during the journey and was buried in Argos. [182]
19.2 Return from Calydon
In 1247 BC, Mantius, son of Melampus, returned to Argos with his son Oecles and grandson Amphiaraus. [183]
The Mantius family fought against Abas, son of Melampus, who had driven them out of Argos, and the descendants of Bias, who supported them. [184]
Talaus, son of Bias, was killed by Amphiaraus, son of Oecles. [185]
Those who lost the battle emigrated from Argos to various places.
19.2.1 Cooperation of Eurystheus
It is assumed that Eurystheus, king of Mycenae, cooperated with Mantius' return for the following reasons:
1) Oecles, son of Mantius, participated in Heracles' later attack on Elis. [186]
2) Later, Heracles left Calydon.
This is thought to be because Eurystheus, through Amphiaraus, son of Oecles, forced Oeneus of Calydon to expel Heracles.
Mycenae and Argos were in conflict, but Mantius was not a descendant of Megapenthes, son of Proetus, who was the source of the conflict.
19.2.2 Migration to various places
Polypheides, son of Abas, emigrated to Hyperesia in Achaia. [187]
Near Hyperesia was Pellene, founded by the Argives. [188]
Abas himself emigrated to Phyllus, near Larisa in Thessaly. [189]
Phyllus was the town where Abas' father Melampus was born. [190]
Also, Adrastus, son of Talaus, son of Bias, fled to Polybus in Sicyon. [191]
Adrastus' mother, Lysianassa, was the daughter of Polybus, who was Adrastus' grandfather. [192]
Pronax, son of Talaus, emigrated from Argos to the upper reaches of the Nemea River, which flows between Sicyon and Corinth, and founded a town there. [193]
Pronax married Nemea, daughter of Sisyphus, son of Aeolus, who lived in Corinth, and named the town Nemea. [194]
Coeranus (or Cleitus), son of Abas, emigrated to Megara. [195]
Coeranus was accompanied by his grandfather Melampus and his nephew Thestor. [196]
Melampus died in Aegosthena, near Mount Cithaeron. [197]
19.3 Heracles' Attack on Elis
In 1241 BC, the Argives participated in Heracles' attack on Elis. [198]
The leader of the Argives was Oecles, son of Mantius, son of Melampus. [199]
Oecles was probably involved in the attack on Elis because he was helped by Eurystheus of Mycenae when returning from Aetolia to Argos.
After the attack on Elis, Heracles probably chose Calydon as his next destination because of Oecles's recommendation. [200]
Oecles fled Argos with his father Mantius and lived in Calydon for more than 20 years. [201]
19.4 Adrastus' Return to Argos
In 1238 BC, Adrastus, who had been in exile with Polybus in Sicyon, made peace with Amphiaraus and returned to Argos. [202]
The condition for the reconciliation was a marriage between Amphiaraus and Eriphyle, the sister of Adrastus. [203]
Amphiaraus and Eriphyle were of the same race, descended from Amythaon.
It seems likely that Amphiaraus made the reconciliation with Adrastus because, after many had left Argos, he had lost his father and could no longer oppose the growing power of Mycenae.
20 Age of Iphis, son of Alector (1235-1210 BC)
Alector was succeeded by his son Iphis. [204]
20.1 Adrastus' Succession to the Sicyonian King
In 1236 BC, Adrastus was invited by the Sicyonians to succeed his grandfather Polybus as king of Sicyon. [205]
In 1232 BC, Adrastus returned to Argos, abdicating to Ianiscus, a descendant of Clytius. [206]
20.2 Exile of Tydeus
In 1226 BC, Tydeus, son of Oeneus, defected from Calydon to Adrastus in Argos, where he married Adrastus' daughter Deipyla. [207]
Aeolia, the mother of Tydeus' father Oeneus, was the sister of Bias, father of Adrastus' father Talaus. [208]
So Adrastus was a second cousin of Tydeus.
Alternatively, Tydeus may have come to Argos relying on Amphiaraus, who was born in Calydon. However, Amphiaraus lived in Pylos, not Argos, at the time. [209]
20.3 Exile of Polyneices
In 1225 BC, Polyneices, the son of Oedipus, defected from Thebes to Adrastus and married Adrastus' daughter Argia. [210]
Adrastus was the son of Lysianassa, the daughter of Polybus, the foster father of Polyneices' father Oedipus. [211]
20.4 Funeral of Oedipus
In 1223 BC, the funeral games for Oedipus were held in Thebes, and Adrastus' brother Mecisteus participated. [212]
Polyneices, who was in exile with Adrastus, invited his wife Argea to attend the funeral of Oedipus. [213]
Mecisteus was the son of Lysianassa, the daughter of Oedipus' foster father Polybus.
Oecles' son Amphiaraus also accompanied Argea to the funeral of Oedipus. [214]
After Polyneices' wife Argea paid her respects, Polyneices returned temporarily to Thebes at the invitation of his brother Eteocles, but an irreparable rift arose between the two.
20.5 Adrastus Attacks Thebes
Adrastus led an army to Thebes to bring back Polyneices.
Participants from Argos were as follows: [215]
Tydeus, husband of Deipyla (or Deipyle), daughter of Adrastus.
Capaneus, son of Astynome, sister of Adrastus.
Eteoclus, brother of Evadne, wife of Capaneus, son of Astynome, sister of Adrastus.
Hippomedon, son of Metidice, sister of Adrastus.
Amphiaraus, husband of Eriphyle, sister of Adrastus.
Mecisteus, brother of Adrastus.
Parthenopaeus, brother of Adrastus.
In 1215 BC, Adrastus led the Argives out of Argos, overland, across the Cithaeron Mountains, and fought and defeated the Thebans who waited outside the Electran gate. [216]
21 Age of Sthenelus, son of Capaneus (1210-1186 BC)
21.1 Epigoni's Attack on Thebes
In 1205 BC, ten years after Adrastus's attack on Thebes, the Argives, under Alcmaeon, son of Amphiaraus, again invaded Thebes. [217]
The Argives, under the command of Epigoni, commanded by Alcmaeon, arrived at Aulis by sea and set out for Thebes. [218]
Laodamas, son of Eteocles, had set out from Thebes and encamped at Glisas. [219]
A battle ensued at Glisas, in which the Argives were victorious. Many were killed in the battle, including Aegialeus, son of Adrastus, and Promachus, son of Parthenopaeus. [220]
Epigoni occupied Thebes, and Thersander, son of Polyneices, became king of Thebes. [221]
21.2 Migration of Alcmaeon
In 1204 BC, Alcmaeon, son of Amphiaraus, made an expedition at the request of the captured Thebans; Alcmaeon set out for Illyria, where their king, Laodamas, son of Eteocles, had settled. On the way, some of the captives founded Astacus near the mouth of the Achelous River. [222]
After sending the rest of the captives to Illyria, Alcmaeon himself founded Argos (later Amphilochian Argos) on the eastern side of the Gulf of Ambracia. [223]
According to tradition, Amphilochus, son of Amphiaraus, participated in the campaign against Troy. [224]
However, this tradition was confused with Amphilochus, who founded Mallus in the Cilicia region. [225]
This Amphilochus was not the son of Amphiaraus, but the son of Alcmaeon, the son of Amphiaraus, and Manto, daughter of Tiresias. [226]
Amphilochus, the son of Amphiaraus, is presumed to have emigrated to northwestern Greece with his brother Alcmaeon.
21.3 Diomedes's Campaign in Aetolia
In 1202 BC, Diomedes, son of Tydeus, marched from Argos to Aetolia to recapture the territory of his grandfather Oeneus, who had been driven out of Calydon. [227]
It is said that Diomedes enlisted Alcmaeon, son of Amphiaraus, who led the Epigoni, in this campaign. [228]
However, it was Agrius, son of Parthaon, who lived in Pleuron, and his sons who expelled Oeneus. [229]
They were cousins through Alcmaeon's grandmother Hypermnestra. [230]
It is not believed that Alcmaeon fought against his kin.
Hygnius reports that Sthenelus, son of Capaneus, marched with Diomedes to Aetolia. Considering the friendship between Diomedes and Sthenelus, it is likely that it was Sthenelus, not Alcmaeon, who accompanied Diomedes on the expedition.[231]
Diomedes entrusted Aetolia to Andraemon, who lived in Amphissa and was the husband of Oeneus' daughter Gorges.[232]
21.4 Royal Tombs of Argos
Near a place called “Delta” in Argos, there was a royal cemetery.
It contained the tombs of Hypermnestra, daughter of Danaus, and her husband Lynceus, Hypermnestra, mother of Amphiaraus, and Talaus, son of Bias. [233]
The tombs of the two royal families of Sparta, the Agiadae and the Eurypontidae, were located separately. [234]
But the tombs of the three royal families of Argos, the Anaxagoridae, Melampodidae, and Biantidae, were in one place.
21.5 Trojan War
In 1188 BC, the sons of Antenor expelled the sons of Priam, son of Laomedon, and occupied Ilium. The sons of Priam requested reinforcements from the Achaeans, who had been on friendly terms with them through the use of the Hellespont.
The Achaeans organized an expedition against Troy, with Achilles, son of Peleus, as its commander-in-chief.
The following suggests that the Argives also participated in this expedition.
1) Pausanias reports that Diomedes, son of Tydeus, led an expedition against Troy as the guardian of Cyanippus. Diomedes was Cyanippus' uncle, and Cyanippus was a minor at the time.
2) Homer lists three generals who led the Argives. [235]
They were Diomedes, son of Tydeus, Sthenelus, son of Capaneus, and Euryalus, son of Mecisteus. They represented the Anaxagoridae and the Biantidae, two of the three royal families of Argos.
However, there is no mention of a general from the other royal family, the Melampodidae.
At that time, Alcmaeon, son of Amphiaraus, who was the king of the Melampodidae, had emigrated to Acarnania and no longer lived in Argos.
The accounts from Pausanias and Homer are consistent with the actual situation at the time, and it is assumed that the Argives also participated in the expedition to Troy.
22 Age of Cylarabes, son of Sthenelus (1186-1165 BC)
22.1 Migration to Italy
After returning from the Troy campaign, Diomedes migrated to Aetolia, the former territory of his grandfather Oeneus. [236]
In 1184 BC, Diomedes crossed the sea from Aetolia to Apulia, on the eastern coast of the Italian peninsula. [237]
Near a hill called Drium in northwestern Apulia, there were two hero-shrines, one for Calchas and another for Podaleirius. [238]
It is believed that Diomedes, who campaigned against Troy with Calchas, son of Thestor, and Podalirus (or Podalirius, Podaleirius), son of Asclepius, built their hero-shrines.
22.2 Occupation by the Dorians
In 1173 BC, the Dorians, led by Cleodaeus, son of Hyllus, son of Heracles, attacked Mycenae and destroyed the city. [239]
Recent archaeological investigations have confirmed evidence of destruction at Mycenae in the 12th century BC. [240]
The Dorians also destroyed Tiryns and Midea. [241]
Argos is also believed to have been occupied by the Dorians for a time.
The Dorians were defeated in the ensuing battle, but the Peloponnesus was devastated.
22.3 Disappearance of the three royal families of Argos
The three royal families of Argos, Anaxagoridae, Melampodidae, and Biantidae, disappeared from Argos in the following way.
In 1247 BC, the Melampodidae and most of the Biantidae were expelled from Argos by Amphiaraus, son of Oecles, and emigrated to various places.
In 1238 BC, Adrastus of the Biantidae made peace with Amphiaraus and returned to Argos. [242]
In 1204 BC, the Melampodidae disappeared from Argos after the migration of Amphiaraus' sons, Alcmaeon and Amphilochus.
In 1184 BC, Diomedes, son of Tydeus, emigrated to Aetolia. [243]
Diomedes' mother Deipyla (or Deipyle) was the daughter of Adrastus, son of Talaus, son of Bias, and Diomedes belonged to the Biantidae.
Then, Cyanippus, son of Aegialeus, died without an heir, and the Biantidae became extinct. [244]
In 1165 BC, Cylarabes, son of Sthenelus, died without children, and the Anaxagoridae became extinct. [245]
The royal line of Argos, which had lasted for 585 years since Phoroneus, son of Inachus, came to an end.
23 Age of Tisamenus, son of Orestes (1165-1107 BC)
23.1 Annexation by Orestes
In 1165 BC, after the royal line of Argos was extinguished, Orestes, son of Agamemnon, occupied Argos. [246]
Orestes lived in Tegea in Arcadia. [247]
Afterwards, Orestes left Argos to his son Tisamenus. [248]
23.2 Occupation by the Dorians
In 1110 BC, Tisamenus, son of Orestes, was defeated in battle by the Dorians led by Temenus, son of Aristomachus, and took refuge in Argos. [249]
Temenus built a fort at Temenium, south of Argos, and besieged the city. [250]
At this time, Erginus, a descendant of Diomedes, stole the statue of Palladium, the patron god of Argos, and assisted Temenus. [251]
After the death of Diomedes, his son Amphinomus emigrated from Italy to Aetolia, and Amphinomus' son Erginus lived in Argos. [252]
Erginus and Temenus were related by a common ancestor, Oeneus of Calydon.
In 1107 BC, Tisamenus surrendered Argos to Temenus and moved to Sparta.
In 1104 BC, the Heracleidae shared the territory they had acquired after Tisamenus emigrated to Achaia, and Temenus acquired Argos. [253]
24 Age of Temenus, son of Aristomachus (1107-1100 BC)
24.1 The Occupation of Epidaurus
In 1102 BC, Temenus' son-in-law Delphontes (or Deiphontes), son of Antimachus, marched from Argos to Epidaurus and captured the city from Pityreus, a descendant of Ion, son of Xuthus. [254]
Pityreus led the inhabitants of Epidaurus to emigrate to Athens. [255]
Delphontes settled the Ionians, who had accompanied him from Tetrapolis in Attica, in Epidaurus. [256]
24.2 The Death of Temenus
In 1100 BC, Temenus was killed by his sons because of his partiality for his daughter Hyrnetho and her husband Deiphontes. [257]
25 Age after Ceisus, son of Temenus
Temenus was succeeded by his son Ceisus. [258]
Ceisus gathered the scattered people and founded a new city of Argos. [259]
25.1 Occupation of Phlius
In 1087 BC, Rhegnidas, son of Phalces, son of Temenus, attacked Phlius and captured the city. [260]
Hippas, a prominent figure in Phlius, emigrated to the island of Samos. [261]
25.2 Reinforcements for Aepytus
When the territories acquired by the Heracleidae were divided, Messenia was assigned to Cresphontes, son of Aristomachus. [262]
However, Cresphontes was killed by Polyphontes and the throne was usurped. [263]
In 1073 BC, Isthmius, son of Temenus, sent reinforcements from Argos to help Aepytus, son of Cresphontes, return to Messenia. [264]
25.3 Migration to Rhodes
In 1070 BC, Althaemenes, son of Ceisus, son of Temenus, led the Dorians and Pelasgians from Argos to colonize Crete. [265]
Afterwards, Althaemenes himself migrated to Rhodes and founded three towns there: Lindos, Ialysos, and Kameiros. [266]
In 1213 BC, Tlepolemus migrated from Tiryns to Rhodes and founded the same three towns, so it is likely that Althaemenes lived with their descendants. [267]
The Dorians, who founded Megara, also participated in the Althaemenes' colony. [268]
The rulers of Rhodes were the Telchines, the Heliadae, the Phoenicians, the Carians, and then the Dorians. [269]
One of the seven wise men of Greece, Cleobulus of Lindos in Rhodes, was a descendant of Heracles and is therefore presumed to be a descendant of Althaemenes. [270]
The Dorians of Rhodes later migrated to Halicarnassus, Cnidus, and Cos. [271]
25.4 Battles with Sparta
In 870 BC, Echestratus, son of Agis of Sparta, expelled all the men of age from Cynuria, which was on the border between Laconia and Argolis. [272]
In 860 BC, Merops, son of Thestius of Argos, fought in vain against Labotas, son of Echestratus, for Cynuria. [273]
25.5 Golden Age of Argos
In 760 BC, Pheidon, son of Aristodamis, established weights and measures and minted silver coins. [274]
Pheidon even subjugated Corinth. [275]
In 748 BC, Pheidon also exerted influence over Eleia, and Pisa, which was on friendly terms with Argos, held the Olympiad. [276]
25.6 Emigration to Macedonia
In 750 BC, Pheidon's son Caranus led a colony to Edessa (later Aegeae) near Mt. Bermius in Macedonia. [277]
Caranus' choice of settlement site was likely closely related to Pheidon's minting of silver coins.
At the time, it was said that gold nuggets could be found in Paeonia by digging in the soil. [278]
Caranus first expelled the inhabitants of Pieria. The expelled Pierians crossed the Strymon River and settled near Mt. Pangaeus. [279]
Caranus fought and defeated Cisseus, the ruler of a neighboring region. [280]
Cisseus is presumably a descendant of Cisseus, grandfather of Iphidamas, who appears in the story of the Troy expedition. [281]
25.7 Last King of the Heracleidae
In 745 BC, Pheidon died and was succeeded by his son Eratus.
In 745 BC, Nicander, son of Charillus, king of Sparta, ravaged Argolis. [282]
Eratus attacked Asine, who sided with Sparta, and destroyed the town. [283]
In 720 BC, Eratus, son of Pheidon, was succeeded by Meltas, son of Leocedes (Lacedas), son of Pheidon.
During the reign of Meltas, the monarchy was abolished, and Meltas became the last Argos king of the Heracleidae. [284]
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