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Lycaon 2
Λυκάων

Zeus destroys the house of Lycaon 2 as the latter turns into a wolf. 9912: Júpiter y Licaon. Cerámica (Estilo Wedgwood). Real Fábrica de Porcelana del Buen Retiro. Fines del s. XVIII. Museo Nacional del Prado.

Lycaon 2 is the impious king of Arcadia who sacrificed a baby on the altar of Zeus and thereby caused the wrath of the god to destroy the world. It is told that Zeus, wishing to put to the test the impiety of Lycaon 2 and his sons, came to them in the likeness of a day-laborer. And they, having slaughtered a male child, mixed his bowels with the sacrifices, and set them before Zeus.The god, disgusted, killed Lycaon 2 and his sons, or else turned Lycaon 2 into a wolf. According to some, the impiety of Lycaon 2 caused the Flood in the age of Deucalion 1. The sons of Lycaon 2 are said to have exceeded all men in pride and impiety, and that Zeus blasted them all with thunderbolts, with the exception of Nyctimus, who succeeded to the kingdom in the age of the Flood.

Impiety leads to destruction

Lycaon 2's infamous practices had reached Zeus' ears. And that is why Zeus came down disguised in human form. But upon his arrival he gave a sign that a god had come, and many among the people began to worship him, but Lycaon 2 mocked their prayers saying:

"I will soon find out whether this fellow be god or mortal." (Ovid, Metamorphoses 1.220).

... while he planned to kill the visitor by night. But before Lycaon 2 took a Molossian hostage, cut his throat, boiled some parts while roasting others, and placed them on the table as a meal before Zeus. Then Zeus brought the house down with his bolt, and his wrath was such that he conceived to destroy all men with the Flood because as he said:

"One house has fallen; but not one house alone has deserved to perish." (Ovid, Metamorphoses 1.236).

Others with identical name

Lycaon 1 is a son of Priam 1. Lycaon 3 is father of Trojan Pandarus 1. Lycaon 4 is the Lycaon of Gnossos. Lycaon 5 is father of Erichaetes, a soldier of Aeneas in Italy. Lycaon 6 (grandfather of Lycaon 2 according to some) is son of King Aezeius.


Family 

Parentage (four versions)

Mates (three versions)

Offspring

Notes

Pelasgus 1 & Meliboea 1

Pelasgus 1 & Cyllene 1

Pelasgus 1 & Deianira 4


The inhabitants of the Peloponnesus were called Pelasgians after Pelasgus 1. Otherwise he is remembered as the king of Argos to whom the DANAIDS came seeking asylum. Pelasgus 1 was son of Zeus and Niobe 1, the daughter of Phoroneus, who is called the first man. Niobe 1 was the first mortal woman with whom Zeus consorted. Others say that Pelasgus 1 was an AUTOCHTHON, and still others call him son of Palaechthon, also AUTOCHTHONOUS.
Meliboea 1 is one of the OCEANIDS.
Cyllene 1 is a Naiad after whom Mount Cyllene in Arcadia is named.
Deianira 4 is daughter of Lycaon 6, son of Aezeius, one of the first kings of the Peloponnesus.

a) Nonacris

LYCAON 2'S OFFSPRING (see below)

After Nonacris a city in Arcadia was named.

b) Cyllene 1

Cyllene 1 is the naiad after whom Mount Cyllene in Arcadia is named.

c) Many wives

 

Lycaon 2's Offspring

OFFSPRING

Sites founded by the sons of Lycaon 2

Acacus.

Acacesium.

Alipherus.

---.

Aseatas.

Asea.

Charisius.

Charisia.

Cromus 1.

Cromi.

Daseatas.

Dasea.

Haemon 3.

Haemoniae.

Helisson.

---.

Heraeus.

---.

Hypsus.

Hypsus and Haemoniae.

Macareus 1.

Macaria.

Maenalus 1.

Maenalus.

Mantineus 2.

Mantineia.

Nyctimus.

---.

Oenotrus.

Oenotria (Italy). Oenotrus is sometimes considered to be the youngest of the brothers. He was born seventeen generations before the Trojan War, and being dissatisfied with his portion of his father's land, left Arcadia, and with his brother Peucetius emigrated to Italy.

Orchomenus 2.

Orchomenus and Methydrium.

Orestheus 2.

Oresthasium.

Pallas 2.

Pallantium.

Peraethus.

Peraethenses.

Phigalus.

Phigalia.

Sumateus.

Sumatia.

Tegeates.

Tegea.

Thocnus.

Thocnia.

Thyraeus.

Thyraeum.

Trapezeus.

Trapezus.

Tricolonus 1.

Tricoloni.

Another author says the sons of Lycaon 2 were these:

Acontes, Aegaeon 1, Alipherus, Ancyor, Archebates, Bucolion 1, Callisto (daughter), Canethus 2, Carteron, Caucon 1, Ceteus 1, Clitor 1, Coretho, Cynaethus, Eumetes, Eumon, Evaemon 2, Genetor, Haemon 3, Harpaleus, Harpalycus 1, Helix 1, Heraeus, Hopleus 2, Horus, Leo, Linus 2, Lycius 1, Macareus 1, Macednus, Maenalus 1, Mantineus 2, Mecisteus 2, Melaeneus, Nyctimus, Orchomenus 2, Pallas 2, Peucetius, Phassus, Phineus 3, Phthius 1, Physius, Plato, Polichus, Portheus 1, Prothous 3, Socleus, Stymphalus 2, Teleboas 1, Thesprotus 1, Titanas.

Still other authors add:

Eleuther 2
Lebadus

Concerning these two, it has been said that they were the only sons of Lycaon 2 that had no share in the abomination prepared for Zeus.

Daunius
Iapyx 1
Peucetius

These three brothers are said to have emigrated together to Italy. Along with them came General Messapius with a strong contingent of Illyrians. In Italy they expelled the Ausonians (Italians), and divided the country among themselves. The Daunians (so called after Daunius) established in southeastern Italy (near the Gargano peninsula). Iapygia, the country in the "heel" of Italy was called after Iapyx 1. The region of Peucetius is in Apulia, southern Italy. In the same manner, the region nowadays called Calabria was then called Messapia after their general Messapius. Some believe that Iapyx 1 is the same as Iapyx 3, the son of Daedalus, but this is unlikely. Others say that Peucetius emigrated to Italy but not with those brothers name above, but together with his brother Oenotrus after whom the land of Oenotria was named. Oenotrus is sometimes considered to be the youngest of the brothers. He was born seventeen generations before the Trojan War, and being dissatisfied with his portion of his father's land, left Arcadia, and with his brother Peucetius emigrated to Italy.


Related sections Lycaon 2 in GROUPS: METAMORPHOSES, AUTOCHTHONOUS  
Sources
Abbreviations

Apd.3.8.1-2; DH.1.11.2, 1.13.2; Hes.CWE.31; Hyg.Ast.2.1; Hyg.Fab.176-177; Lib.Met.31; Pau.8.17.6, 8.2.3, 8.3.1ff., 8.44.1; Plu.GQ.39; Strab.5.2.4.