PSAMATHE OF ARGOS IN GREEK MYTHOLOGY
Psamathe was a mortal lover of the god Apollo, and also a princess of the kingdom of Argos.
Psamathe Daughter of Crotopus
Psamathe was the daughter of King Crotopus of Argos, and whilst her mother is not named, it is known that she had a brother named Sthenelas.
Psamathe and Apollo
Psamathe’s father would rule Argos for 21 years, and as Psamathe grew up, her beauty became widely known. News of a beautiful mortal would often bring one of the Olympian gods to investigate, and in the case of Psamathe, it was Apollo who came to Argos to do just that.
Taken by the beauty of Psamathe, Apollo had his wicked way with her, and of course, as a result, Psamathe fell pregnant with the god’s son. |
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Psamathe though, would hide the pregnancy, fearful of her father’s reaction if she became an unwed mother.
After the given time Psamathe gave birth to a baby boy, who was named Linus.
After the given time Psamathe gave birth to a baby boy, who was named Linus.
Linus Exposed
Still fearful of her father, Psamathe would leave her son exposed upon a hillside, but as with many such tales from Greek mythology, the exposed child did not die, for in the case of Linus, he was rescued by a shepherd.
It would seem that news of her son’s rescue did reach the ears of Psamathe, and for perhaps a few years, Linus grew up amongst the shepherd’s family.
Whilst still relatively young though, Linus was attacked by Crotopus’ sheepdogs, and was killed by them.
It would seem that news of her son’s rescue did reach the ears of Psamathe, and for perhaps a few years, Linus grew up amongst the shepherd’s family.
Whilst still relatively young though, Linus was attacked by Crotopus’ sheepdogs, and was killed by them.
Psamathe Killed
News of her son’s death reached Psamathe, and her grief revealed her secret parenthood to her father.
Crotopus would not believe that his daughter had slept with a god, and the King of Argos instead believed that Psamathe had fallen pregnant by some unworthy suitor. Crotopus would thus sentence Psamathe to death, and Psamathe was thus killed. |
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Psamathe Venerated
News of the death of his son, and his lover, soon reached Apollo, and in an act of vengeance, Apollo first sent down a monster named Poine to Argos. This monster would kill the newborn children of Argos, taking them from their mother’s arms. Poine would eventually be killed by Coroebus.
Apollo then sent forth a plague upon Argos. Crotopus was told by an oracle that Psamathe and Linus must be venerated, and so a festival of Argos was initiated in their honour. The plague though would only leave Argos, when Psamathe’s father was exiled from his own kingdom.
Apollo then sent forth a plague upon Argos. Crotopus was told by an oracle that Psamathe and Linus must be venerated, and so a festival of Argos was initiated in their honour. The plague though would only leave Argos, when Psamathe’s father was exiled from his own kingdom.
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Colin Quartermain - Psamathe of Argos - 9th March 2024