BUTES OF NAXOS IN GREEK MYTHOLOGY
Butes was a Thracian named as son of the god Boreas, who would became a notorious pirate who ravaged the Cyclades.
Butes Son of Boreas
Butes was named as a son of the god of the north wind, Boreas. Boreas had a number of children, but Butes was closely associated with an older stepbrother, Lycurgus.
Both Butes and Lycurgus lived in Thrace, but Butes plotted against his brother, intending to have Lycurgus murdered. Lycurgus though, discovered the plot, and so had Butes exiled from Thrace.
Both Butes and Lycurgus lived in Thrace, but Butes plotted against his brother, intending to have Lycurgus murdered. Lycurgus though, discovered the plot, and so had Butes exiled from Thrace.
Butes on Naxos
Butes, along with a band of male companions, left Thrace and settled upon the island of Naxos, an island then known as Strongyle. Butes and his followers. There, Butes and his men, set themselves up as pirates, marauding through the Cyclades. There was but one issue, there were no women upon Naxos.
Butes and his fellow pirates would start raiding further afield, seeking riches, but also women to bring back to Naxos. |
|
The Death of Butes
One raid saw Butes and his men landed in Thessaly. There, Butes found a woman by the name of Coronis, and he had his way with her, against her will. Coronis though, was a Maenad, a follower of Dionysus, and Coronis called upon the god for vengeance. Dionysus caused Butes to go mad, and the pirate threw himself into a well, drowning himself.
Even if Butes had not gone mad though, his end would probably been at hand, for amongst those women abducted by Butes’ men, were Iphimedia and Pancratis. Soon the Aloadae, would come to rescue their mother and sister, killing those who had abducted them.
Even if Butes had not gone mad though, his end would probably been at hand, for amongst those women abducted by Butes’ men, were Iphimedia and Pancratis. Soon the Aloadae, would come to rescue their mother and sister, killing those who had abducted them.
|
Colin Quartermain - Butes of Naxos - 4th November 2023