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Messenia

Location of the region of Messenia in southwestern Peloponnesus

Messenia is the region in southwestern Peloponnesus, separated from Laconia on the east by Mount Taygetus, and bounded on the north by Elis and Arcadia.

First ruler conquers the country

The first to have ruled Messenia was Polycaon 1, son of Lelex 2 and the naiad Cleocharia. Lelex 2, said to be an Egyptian immigrant, was king of Laconia. Polycaon 1 married the ambitious woman Messene, daughter of King Triopas 1 of Argos, and after her the whole territory was named. At the death of Lelex 2, his son Myles inherited the throne in Lacedaemon. But Messene, not wishing to be the wife of an anonymous man, collected an armed force from both Argos and Lacedaemon, and the newly married couple invaded with an army the territory of Messenia, and named it after the daughter of the Argive king. Having thus established the new kingdom, they founded a city Andania where they built their palace. It is during the reign of Polycaon 1 that Caucon 2 brought the rites of the Great Goddesses from Eleusis to Messenia. Caucon 2 was son of Celaenus 1, son of Phlyus, who, according to the Athenians and others, was a son of Gaia. The house of Polycaon 1 died out, but lasted, according to some, for about five generations, his descendants being unknown up to this day.

The coming of the Aeolids

At a certain time, Aeolus 1's son Perieres 1 invaded the country. This man is sometimes called son of Cynortes (son of Amyclas 1, son of Lacedaemon, son of Zeus and the Pleiad Taygete). Perieres 1 ruled the country, and having married Gorgophone 2, daughter of Perseus 1 and Andromeda, had by her many sons, among which Aphareus 1, who succeeded him on the throne. During the rule of Perieres 1, a well known archer Melaneus 5 came to him in Messenia, and received from the king that part of the country which was called Oechalia after Melaneus 5's wife.

Aphareus 1

Aphareus 1 inherited the throne of Messenia together with his brother Leucippus 2, but as they say, the former had the pre-eminence. Aphareus 1 married Arene, daughter of Oebalus 1 and Gorgophone 2 (the first woman to marry a second time), and after Arene a city was named. Aphareus 1 received in his house the exiled Neleus, who had been expelled from Iolcus by his twin brother King Pelias 1, the same man who sent Jason and the ARGONAUTS to Colchis. Neleus settled in the coastal part of the territory, taking up his residence in Pylos, which some say was founded by him. During this time, also Lycus 7 came to Arene in Messenia when he was driven from Athens by his brother King Aegeus 1, and taught the rites of the Great Goddesses to Aphareus 1 and Arene. Aphareus 1 and Arene had two sons: Idas 2 and Lynceus 1.

Idas 2 and Lynceus 1

Lynceus 1, who is counted among the ARGONAUTS, and among the CALYDONIAN HUNTERS, is said to have excelled in sharpness of sight, for he could see things under ground or look through the trunk of an oak. Lynceus 1 was still childless when he was killed by one of the DIOSCURI. His brother Idas 2 married Marpessa 1, whom Apollo loved. The girl chose Idas 2 before Apollo because she feared that Apollo might desert her in her Old Age, and Idas 2 carried her off in a winged chariot which Poseidon gave him. Marpessa 1's father Evenus 2, not being able to catch Idas 2 when the latter abducted his daughter, threw himself into the river Lycormas which was called Evenus after him. Cleopatra 4, daughter of Idas 2 and Marpessa 1, married Meleager, and gave birth to a daughter Polydora 3, who in turn married Protesilaus, the first of the Achaeans to fall dead in the Trojan War. It has been pointed out that all these women—Marpessa 1, Cleopatra 4 and Polydora 3—committed suicide on the death of their husbands. Idas 2 and his brother Lynceus 1 were in constant war with the DIOSCURI, and eventually all of them died. One of the reasons of their conflict was the abduction by the DIOSCURI of their cousins Hilaira and Phoebe 2 (both priestesses of Artemis and Athena respectively), daughters of Leucippus 2, brother of Aphareus 1 (see also DIOSCURI).

Neleids take over

With the death of these two brothers, the house of Aphareus 1 died out and the throne passed to the house that had its residence at Pylos, that is, to Neleus and his sons. Neleus' daughter Pero 2 was married to an Argive king, either Bias 1 or his brother Melampus 1. During this time, Heracles 1, having attacked Elis, invaded Messenia before his expedition against Lacedaemon and Sparta. Most descendants of Neleus perished in this war except young Nestor, who was either being brought up in Gerenia, or taken refuge there. Periclymenus 1, son of Neleus and one of the ARGONAUTS, had been granted by Poseidon the power of changing his shape, and fighting with Heracles 1, he turned himself into a lion, a snake and a bee, but nevertheless got killed. It is also told that Heracles 1 occupied Pylos, and that he entrusted the kingdom to Nestor; this is the reason why the HERACLIDES later claimed the land for themselves. After this, Messenia was attacked by the Epeans (from Elis), but were utterly defeated by Nestor. At this time Neleus still lived; some say he died at Corinth of a disease whereas others affirm that he was killed by Heracles 1, along with his ten or twelve sons (except Nestor).

Trojan War

At the time of the Trojan War, Nestor sailed from Messenia together with his son Thrasymedes 1, with Thrasymedes 2 (son of Neleus in spite of all said before about the massacre of the sons of Neleus ), and Antilochus, who is said to have been suckled by a bitch when he was a child. Antilochus, son of Nestor, died at Troy, killed either by Memnon (the eastern Ethiopian son of Eos), or by Hector 1 (son of King Priam 1 of Troy). Thrasymedes 1 is among those who hid inside the WOODEN HORSE. Nestor's death has not been reported, but he was still alive many years later, when Telemachus came to Pylos looking for his father Odysseus. Pisistratus 1, son of Nestor, was the first to receive Telemachus on the sandy beach of Pylos. He also went with him to Menelaus' court, where Telemachus also inquired about his father.

Several kingdoms

Before the return of the HERACLIDES, there were several kings of Messenia, all of which were deposed during the invasion of the descendants of Heracles 1. Melanthus 1 (son of Andropompus 1, son of Borus 3, son of Penthilus 2, son of Periclymenus 1, son of Neleus), having been deposed, went to Athens, and took the kingdom from Thymoetes 2, becoming king himself. Pisistratus 2, son of Pisistratus 1, son of Nestor was also deposed, and so was Alcmaeon 2, son of Sillus, son of Thrasymedes 1, son of Nestor.

The HERACLIDES

The Heraclid Cresphontes received the kingdom of Messenia through casting lots with Procles 2 and Eurysthenes 1, who received Sparta and Lacedaemon. As Cresphontes' government favored he people, the rich made a revolt, killing him and all his sons except Aepytus 2. Polyphontes 3 seized power in Messenia after Cresphontes, and married the wife of the murdered ruler, Merope 2, against her will. Merope 2 was related to the Arcadian kings; she was daughter of Cypselus 1, son of Aepytus 4, son of Hippothous 6, son of Cercyon 2, son of Agamedes 2, son of Stymphalus 1, son of Elatus 2, son of Arcas 1, son of Zeus and Callisto.

End of legend

But Aepytus 2, the son of Cresphontes and the only survivor of his house, in time returned, killed Polyphontes 3 and became king of Messenia. After him the throne went from father to son. King Dotadas is said to have been the constructor of the harbor at Mothone in Messenia. Sybotas belongs rather to historical times. During the rule of Phintas, the Messenians came into conflict with the Lacedaemonians, and killed their king Teleclus.


Throne Succession in Messenia 
Messenia
Polycaon 1
Perieres 1
Aphareus 1
Idas 2
Two kingdoms of Messenia
Periclymenus 1

 

Several kingdoms of Messenia
Penthilus 2
Antilochus
Pisistratus 1
Thrasymedes 1
Borus 3
Paeon 3
 
Sillus
Andropompus 1
     
Melanthus 1
His sons
Pisistratus 2
Alcmaeon 2
Melanthus 1, the sons of Paeon 3, Pisistratus 2 and Alcmaeon 2 were deposed and
the kingdom reunified under the rule of:
Cresphontes
Polyphontes 3
Aepytus 2
Glaucus 8
Isthmius 2
Dotadas
Sybotas
Phintas
Polycaon 1 was the first ruler of Messenia. He was son of Lelex 2 (a Laconian king who arrived from Egypt) and Cleocharia (one of the NYMPHS) (Pau.3.1.1, 4.1.1, 4.1.5).

Perieres 1. Son either of Aeolus 1 and Enarete, or of Cynortes (king of lacedaemon and Sparta). Perieres 1, who became king of Messenia, married Gorgophone 2 (daughter of Perseus 1 and Andromeda) and begot Tyndareus (father of Helen), Icarius 1 (father of Penelope), Aphareus 1 and Leucippus 2 (kings of Messenia), Borus 1 (husband of Peleus' daughter Polydora 1), Polydora 2 (said to have consorted with Peleus), Pisus (founder of Pisa in Elis), and Oebalus 1 (king of Sparta) (Apd.1.7.3, 1.9.5, 3.10.3-4, 3.13.1-4; Hes.CWE.4; Pau.5.17.9).

Aphareus 1. King of Messenia. It is said that he inherited the kingdom together with his brother Leucippus 2, but keeping the greater authority. He was the son of Perieres 1 and Gorgophone 2, daughter of Perseus 1. Aphareus 1 married Arene, after whom he named the Messenian city, and had by her two sons, Idas 2 and Lynceus 1, who are known for having been the rivals of the DIOSCURI (Apd.3.10.3; Hyg.Fab.14; Pau.4.2.4).

Idas 2 and his brother Lynceus 1 came from Messenia and are known for having opposed the DIOSCURI. Idas 2, who was one of the ARGONAUTS, is said to have killed Castor 1. Idas 2 was son of Arene, either by Poseidon or by Aphareus 1, son of King Perieres 1 of Messenia. Idas 2 was killed by Polydeuces, but before that he married Marpessa 1, daughter of Evenus 2, and had by her a daughter Cleopatra 4, who was Meleager's wife. (see also ARGONAUTS, CALYDONIAN HUNTERS, and DIOSCURI) (Apd.1.8.2, 3.10.3, 3.11.2; CYP.1, 12; Hyg.Fab.14, 80; Stat.Theb.5.405; Val.1.461).

Neleus was exposed as a child. When he and his twin brother were grown up they killed their stepmother Sidero. Having been banished, he came to Messenia and founded Pylos. Neleus was son either of Poseidon & Tyro, or of Hippocoon 4, or of Cretheus 1 (Apd.1.9.8-9; Arg.1.156; Hes.CWE.13; Hom.Od.11.281ff.; Hyg.Fab.10, 14, 31, 97, 157; Pau.2.2.2, 4.2.5).

Nestor, whose father and brothers were killed by Heracles 1, was brought up among the Gerenians and later became the Leader of the Pylians against Troy. he was son of Neleus & Chloris 1 (Apd.1.8.3, 1.9.9; Dictys 1.1; Hes.CWE.11, 12; Hom.Il.2.20; Hom.Od.3.452; Hyg.Fab.97; Ov.Met.8.299ff., 12.210ff.; QS.3.516; Strab.8.3.1, 8.13.19).

Periclymenus 1. Son of Neleus and Chloris 1, and father of Erginus 2 and Penthilus 2. Most descendants of Neleus perished in the war that Heracles 1 waged against Messenia. Periclymenus 1 had been granted by Poseidon the power of changing his shape, and fighting with Heracles 1 he turned himself into a lion, a snake and a bee, but he nevertheless got killed (Apd.1.9.9, 2.7.3; Arg.1.156; Hyg.Fab.14; Nonn.43.247; Pau.2.18.8; Val.1.388).

Penthilus 2. King of Messenia and son of Periclymenus 1, son of Neleus. He had a son Borus 3, who was expelled from Messenia by the HERACLIDES (Pau.2.18.8).

Antilochus. Leader from Pylos, son of Nestor, either by Anaxibia 3 or by Eurydice 8. Antilochus died in the Trojan War killed either by Hector 1 or by Memnon. Leonymus says that he saw his soul in the White Isle, but Odysseus met his soul in the Underworld when he descended there. Antilochus, who is counted among the SUITORS OF HELEN, was father of Paeon 3, whose sons were expelled from Messenia by the HERACLIDES Temenus 2 and Cresphontes (AETH.1; Apd.1.9.9; Apd.3.10.8; Apd.Ep.5.3; Hom.Od.3.452, 11.468; Hyg.Fab.97, 112, 113, 252; Pau.2.18.8, 3.19.12; QS.2.256, 2.262; Try.18).

Pisistratus 1 was the first to receive Telemachus on the beach of Pylos when he came to the Peloponnesus looking for his father. Pisistratus 1 went with Telemachus to Menelaus' court. He was son of Nestor, his mother being either Anaxibia 3 or Eurydice 8. Pisistratus 1 had a son Pisistratus 2 (Apd.1.9.9; Hdt.5.65; Hom.Od.3.36, 3.452; Pau.2.18.8).

Thrasymedes 1 commanded a group of sentinels and was among those who hid inside the WOODEN HORSE. He was son of Nestor, either by Anaxibia 3, or by Eurydice 8. Thrasymedes 1 had a son Sillus (Apd.1.9.9; Hom.Il.9.81; Hom.Od.3.452; Pau.2.18.8; QS.2.267, 12.314ff.; Try.169).

Borus 3. King of Messenia expelled by the HERACLIDES. He was son of Penthilus 2, son of Periclymenus 1, son of Neleus. Borus 3 was father of Andropompus 1 (Pau.2.18.8).

Paeon 3. King of Messenia, whose sons were expelled by the HERACLIDES Temenus 2 and Cresphontes. Paeon 3 was son of Antilochus, son of Nestor (Pau.2.18.8).

Sillus. King of Messenia after his father Thrasymedes 1. He was succeeded by his own son Alcmaeon 2 (Pau.2.18.8).

Andropompus 1. King of Messenia and son of Borus 3, son of Penthilus 2, son of Periclymenus 1, son of Neleus. Andropompus 1 was father of Melanthus 1, father of Codrus 1, father of those who colonized Ionia (Pau.2.18.8).

Melanthus 1. Son of Andropompus 1, son of Borus 3, son of Penthilus 2, son of Periclymenus 1, son of Neleus. Melanthus 1, who was king of Messenia, was expelled from the city by the HERACLIDES, Temenus 2 and Cresphontes. He then went to Athens and deposed Thymoetes 2, becoming king himself. Melanthus 1 is father of Codrus 1, whose sons colonized Ionia (Pau.1.19.5, 2.18.8).

Pisistratus 2, son of Pisistratus 1, was expelled from Messenia by the HERACLIDES Temenus 2 and Cresphontes (Pau.2.18.8).

Alcmaeon 2. King of Messenia expelled by the HERACLIDES Temenus 2 and Cresphontes. Alcmaeon 2 was son of Sillus, son of Thrasymedes 1, son of Nestor (Pau.2.18.8).

Cresphontes. Son of Aristomachus 2. Father by Merope 2 of Aepytus 2. Cresphontes received the kingdom of Messenia while casting lots with Procles 2 and Eurysthenes 1. His government for the most part was directed in favor of the people, and for this reason the rich rebelled and killed him and all his sons except Aepytus 2. Cresphontes was killed by the usurper Polyphontes 3 (see below) (Apd.2.8.4-5; Hyg.Fab.137; Pau.2.18.7, 4.3.7-8).

Polyphontes 3. Counted as one of the HERACLIDES. Parentage unknown. He came to the throne of Messenia after Cresphontes, and took to wife, against her will, the wife of the murdered man, Merope 2. He was killed by Aepytus 2, son of Cresphontes (Apd.2.8.5).

Aepytus 2 (Telephon) became the sole survivor of his house after the murder of his father Cresphontes, one of the HERACLIDES. Cresphontes was son of Aristomachus 2, son of Cleodaeus 2, son of Hyllus 1, son of Heracles 1. Aepytus 2's mother was Merope 2, daughter of Cypselus 1, son of Aepytus 4, son of Hippothous 6, son of Cercyon 2, son of Agamedes 2, son of Stymphalus 1, son of Elatus 2, son of Arcas 1, son of Zeus & Callisto. Aepytus 2, who was brought up by his grandfather Cypselus 1, became later King of Messenia and punished his father's murderers. Aepytus 2 was succeeded in the throne of Messenia by his son Glaucus 8 (Apd.2.8.5, Pau.4.3.7-9).

Glaucus 8 suceeded his father Aepytus 2 (son of Cresphontes, son of Aristomachus 2, son of Cleodaeus 2, son of Hyllus 1, son of Heracles 1) on the throne of Messenia. He had a son Isthmius 2 (see also Messenia) (Pau.4.3.9, 4.3.10).

Isthmius 2. King of Messenia and son of Glaucus 8, son of Aepytus 2, son of Cresphontes, son of Aristomachus 2, son of Cleodaeus 2, son of Hyllus 1, son of Heracles 1. Isthmius 2 was father of Dotadas (see Messenia and HERACLIDES) (Pau.4.3.10).

Dotadas. King of Messene and constructor of the harbor at Mothone in Messenia. He was son of Isthmius 2, son of Glaucus 8, son of Aepytus 2, son of Cresphontes, son of Aristomachus 2, son of Cleodaeus 2, son of Hyllus 1, son of Heracles 1. Dotadas had a son Sybotas, father of Phintas, who lived at the (historical) time when the Messenians came into conflict with the Lacedaemonians (Pau.4.3.10).

Sybotas. King of Messenia after his father Dotadas. He was succeeded on the throne by his son Phintas (Pau.4.3.10, 4.4.1).

Phintas. Approaching history, King Phintas of Messenia was a contemporary of Teleclus under whose reign the Messenians came into conflict with the Lacedaemonians. He was son of Sybotas, son of Dotadas, son of Isthmius 2, son of Glaucus 8, son of Aepytus 2, son of Cresphontes, one of the HERACLIDES (Pau.4.4.1).


Related sections Pylos, Neleus  
Sources
Abbreviations

Some mentions of Messenia: Apd.1.7.9, 1.8.2, 1.9.9, 1.9.12, 2.8.4, 2.8.5, 2.8.6, 3.11.2; Hom.Od.21.18; Hyg.Fab.14, 80, 137, 173a; Ov.Met.2.679, 6.417, 14.17; Pau.4.4.1.