AMYNTOR IN GREEK MYTHOLOGY
Amyntor was the name of a king of Ormenium in Greek mythology. Amyntor was the father of Phoenix, a future tutor of Achilles, as well as being an adversary of Heracles.
Amyntor King of Ormenium
Amyntor was the son of Ormenus, son of Cercaphus; and thus brother to Euaemon. Ormenus was the founder of the Thessalonian town of Ormenium, a town which he, and then Amyntor would rule.
Amyntor is normally called a king of Ormenium, although occasionally his kingdom was said to have been at Eleon in Boeotia.
Amyntor is normally called a king of Ormenium, although occasionally his kingdom was said to have been at Eleon in Boeotia.
Amyntor Father of Phoenix
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Amyntor was father to three named children, Phoenix, Crantor and Astydaemia. Of these three children, Phoenix is arguably the most famous, fame brought forth by Amyntor’s treatment of his son.
The mother of Phoenix was called either Cleobule or Hippodameia, but Amyntor would shun his wife in favour of a concubine, either named Clytia or Phthia. There are two versions of the tale of Phoenix, one version tells of Phoenix, at his mother’s behest, sleeping with Amyntor’s concubine. Amyntor was then said to have cursed Phoenix to remain forever childless. Phoenix would have killed Amyntor at that point, but his hand was stayed, and instead, Phoenix left for Peleus’ Phthian kingdom. A second version tells of Amyntor’s concubine falsely accusing Phoenix of rape, and Amyntor believe his concubine’s tale, blinded Phoenix and then banished him. Amyntor and PerseusAmyntor’s behaviour to his own son might appear to have been unreasonable, but the king’s own downfall was soon at hand.
Firstly, Amyntor and Peleus went to war with each other. Amyntor’s forces though, were easily overcome by the forces of Phthia. |
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Peleus then forced Amyntor to give up his son, Crantor, as a hostage against future hostilities. Crantor was subsequently said to have been killed fighting alongside Peleus during the Centauromachy; Crantor being killed by the centaur Demoleon.
Amyntor and Heracles
Shortly afterwards, the hero Heracles sought free passage for himself and his army through Ormenium. Rashly though, Amyntor refused Heracles’ request, and so Heracles took up his arms, and killed Amyntor.
Heracles would then have his way with Amyntor’s daughter, Astydaemia, and thus Heracles became father to Ctesippus.
With Cantor dead, and Phoenix now King of Dolopia, there were no sons to succeed Amyntor, thus the kingdom of Ormenium passed his nephew Eurypylus, son of Euaemon.
Heracles would then have his way with Amyntor’s daughter, Astydaemia, and thus Heracles became father to Ctesippus.
With Cantor dead, and Phoenix now King of Dolopia, there were no sons to succeed Amyntor, thus the kingdom of Ormenium passed his nephew Eurypylus, son of Euaemon.
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Colin Quartermain - Amyntor - 25th August 2021