MECISTEUS IN GREEK MYTHOLOGY
Mecisteus was a member of the Argos royal family in the tales of Greek mythology. Mecisteus was the son of Talaus and brother of Adrastus.
Mecisteus Son of Talaus
Mecisteus was a prince of Argos, for he was the son of Talaus, King of Argos, and Lysimache, daughter of Abas. Mecisteus was thus brother to Adrastus, Aristomachus, Astynome, Eriphyle, Metidice, Pronax, and in some cases Parthenopaeus.
Mecisteus would father a son named Euryalus with a woman named Astyoche; Euryalus would later become a hero of some note being one of the Epigoni and also an Achaean leader at Troy. |
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Mecisteus the Boxer
Mecisteus was a boxer of some note, for it was said that he was victorious in the funeral games for Oedipus in Athens. The skill of the boxer was also passed down to his son, Euryalus, for Euryalus won the boxing event during the funeral games for Patroclus at Troy.
Mecisteus and the Seven Against Thebes
These funeral games for Oedipus must have occurred prior to the main hostilities at Thebes, during the War of the Seven Against Thebes. For although, some say of Oedipus visiting the fighting, it is also commonly said that Mecisteus died relatively early on in the war.
In the commonly given list of the Seven Against Thebes, Mecisteus is missing from the seven; Amphiaraus, Capaneus, Eteocles, Hippomdeon, Polynices, Parthenopaeus and Tydeus. Adrastus though was present during the war, and family ties make it common sense for Mecisteus to be part of the army as well.
Mecisteus though was an early casualty of the war at Thebes, when he was killed by Melanippus, son of Astacus of Thebes. Eventually, Mecisteus was avenged when Tydeus killed Melanippus, although Melanippus mortally wounded Tydeus at the same time.
In the commonly given list of the Seven Against Thebes, Mecisteus is missing from the seven; Amphiaraus, Capaneus, Eteocles, Hippomdeon, Polynices, Parthenopaeus and Tydeus. Adrastus though was present during the war, and family ties make it common sense for Mecisteus to be part of the army as well.
Mecisteus though was an early casualty of the war at Thebes, when he was killed by Melanippus, son of Astacus of Thebes. Eventually, Mecisteus was avenged when Tydeus killed Melanippus, although Melanippus mortally wounded Tydeus at the same time.
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Colin Quartermain - Mecisteus - 11th February 2024