BIAS IN GREEK MYTHOLOGY
Bias in Greek Mythology
Bias, in Greek mythology, was a king of Argos, at the time when the kingdom was divided into three. Bias was the brother of Melampus and much of the success that came to Bias was due to the actions of his brother.
Bias Son of Amythaon
Bias was the son of Amythaon, son of Cretheus, and Queen Idomene, the daughter of Pheres. Thus, Bias was brother to Melampus and Aeolia.
Bias Gains A Wife
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Amythaon and his sons would reside in Pylos, a kingdom now ruled by Neleus, a stepbrother of Cretheus. Neleus had many sons, but he also had a beautiful daughter named Pero.
Pero would have many suitors, and Neleus thus decreed that he would only give his daughter in marriage to the man who brought him the cattle of Phylacus, King of Phylace. The cattle though would have to be stolen, for Phylacus would not sell his cattle, nor was he likely to give them away. Bias had set his mind to marrying Pero, but it was Melampus who would be left to gain the cattle. Melampus was a noted seer, and well knew the pitfalls that lay ahead of him. Caught in the act of stealing the cattle of Phylacus, Melampus used his prophetic abilities to obtain release from his prison cell, and then he used his knowledge of herbs to cure Phylacus’ son, Iphiclus, of his inability to father children. In gratitude Phylacus would give Melampus his cattle. Melampus would then give the cattle of Phylacus to his brother Bias. Bias then presented them to Neleus, and so Bias was wed to Pero. Pero would give birth to three sons, Talaus, Areius and Laodocus; all three of whom were later named by Apollonius of Rhodes as Argonauts. |
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Bias Gains a Kingdom
At this time the women of Argos were sent mad at the instigation of either Hera or Dionysus. Some say this madness occurred during the time of Proetus, although it is more likely to have occurred in the time of Anaxagoras.
Melampus was called upon the cure the women of Argos, but to do so Melampus demanded a third of Anaxagoras’ kingdom. Anaxagoras initially refused, but when it became clear that no-one else could cure the women, the King of Argos now agreed. Melampus now demanded two-thirds of the kingdom, and this time Anaxagoras agreed.
Melampus would cure the women of Argos, and having taken one-third of the kingdom of Argos for himself, gave the other third to Bias. Thus, Bias became a King of Argos.
Bias’s portion of Argos would follow down his family line for several generations, for Bias was succeeded by his son Talaus, and then his grandson, Adrastus; until the kingdom of Argos was reunified in the time of Cylarabes, son of Sthenelus.
Melampus was called upon the cure the women of Argos, but to do so Melampus demanded a third of Anaxagoras’ kingdom. Anaxagoras initially refused, but when it became clear that no-one else could cure the women, the King of Argos now agreed. Melampus now demanded two-thirds of the kingdom, and this time Anaxagoras agreed.
Melampus would cure the women of Argos, and having taken one-third of the kingdom of Argos for himself, gave the other third to Bias. Thus, Bias became a King of Argos.
Bias’s portion of Argos would follow down his family line for several generations, for Bias was succeeded by his son Talaus, and then his grandson, Adrastus; until the kingdom of Argos was reunified in the time of Cylarabes, son of Sthenelus.
Bias Marries Again
Following the death of his first wife, Pero, Bias would marry again, this time to Iphianassa, a daughter of Proetus, and one of the Argos women that Melampus had cured.
Melampus would become father to a daughter by Iphianassa, a daughter named Anaxibia, who is commonly named as the wife of Pelias, King of Iolcus.
Melampus would become father to a daughter by Iphianassa, a daughter named Anaxibia, who is commonly named as the wife of Pelias, King of Iolcus.
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Colin Quartermain - Bias - 6th February 2020