PIERUS IN GREEK MYTHOLOGY
Pierus was a king from the tales of Greek mythology. Pierus was said to have been the first mortal to instigate the worship of the Younger Muses, but it is for his own daughters that he is best known today.
King Pierus
Some call Pierus, an autochthon, an original inhabitant of the land, although others tell of him being a son of Macedon, the eponymous ancestor of the Macedonians, in Greek mythology. The mother of Pierus is not named, but a brother for the king is called Emathus.
Pierus himself was the eponym of Pieria and Mount Pierus, although Pierus is named as King of Pella, or King of Emathia, neighbouring regions to Pieria, both of which are regarded now as parts of Macedonia. |
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Pierus and Pierides
The wife of Pierus was variously called Euippe, Antiopa or Methone; depending upon the source being quoted.
Euippe, a woman of Paeonia, is most commonly named as the mother of the nine daughters of Pierus. Pierus named these nine daughters after the Younger Muses, and they were collectively known as the Pierides, after Pierus, or Emathides, named after Pierus’ kingdom, or Pierus’ brother.
The Pierides are known for their rashness, for they challenged the Younger Muses to a singing contest. The daughters of Pierus were of course no match for the immortal Muses, and in retribution they were transformed into various birds, or else all were transformed into magpies.
Aside from his famous daughters, Pierus was said to be, by some, the father of Oeagrus, making him grandfather of Orpheus. Even less commonly Pierus is said to be the father of Polyboea, mother of Orpheus, and Hyacinth.
Euippe, a woman of Paeonia, is most commonly named as the mother of the nine daughters of Pierus. Pierus named these nine daughters after the Younger Muses, and they were collectively known as the Pierides, after Pierus, or Emathides, named after Pierus’ kingdom, or Pierus’ brother.
The Pierides are known for their rashness, for they challenged the Younger Muses to a singing contest. The daughters of Pierus were of course no match for the immortal Muses, and in retribution they were transformed into various birds, or else all were transformed into magpies.
Aside from his famous daughters, Pierus was said to be, by some, the father of Oeagrus, making him grandfather of Orpheus. Even less commonly Pierus is said to be the father of Polyboea, mother of Orpheus, and Hyacinth.
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Colin Quartermain - Pierus - 5th September 2021