THE ARGONAUT CEPHEUS IN GREEK MYTHOLOGY
Cepheus was a noted king and hero spoken of in the surviving texts of Greek mythology. Cepheus was named as both an Argonaut and participant in the Calydonian Boar Hunt.
Cepheus Son of Aleus
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Cepheus was a member of Arcadian royalty, as he was a descendant of the Arcadian Pelasgus. Who was either a son of Zeus, or an autochthon. The royal line extended to Aleus, and it was to Aleus’ wife, Neaera, that Cepheus was born. Cepheus perhaps had two brothers, Lycurgus and Amphidamas, and a sister called Auge.
In time, Cepheus succeeded his father, Aleus, as King of Tegea; with Tegea being one of the most powerful polis of ancient Arcadia. |
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Cepheus the Argonaut
As a relatively young man, Cepheus received word of Jason’s quest to retrieve the Golden Fleece from Colchis. Cepheus travelled to Iolcus, and in the surviving texts, it is universally agreed that Cepheus became an Argonaut. During the journey to and from Colchis though, Cepheus is not recorded as undertaking any great deeds.
After the return of the Argo to Iolcus, a new heroic quest began in Calydon, where a hunt for monstrous boar was underway. Cepheus, was occasionally named, as amongst the number of Argonauts who travelled to Calydon; and indeed, Capheus’ nephew, Ancaeus was killed by the boar.
After the return of the Argo to Iolcus, a new heroic quest began in Calydon, where a hunt for monstrous boar was underway. Cepheus, was occasionally named, as amongst the number of Argonauts who travelled to Calydon; and indeed, Capheus’ nephew, Ancaeus was killed by the boar.
The Death of Cepheus
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As king, Cepheus prospered, and was credited with the founding of the city of Caphyae, by the Arcadian lake of Orchamenus.
As he prospered, Cepheus fathered a number of children, twenty sons, and two or three daughters. The daughters perhaps being Sterope, Aerope and Antinoe. In time, Heracles came to Tegea, and sought the assistance of Cepheus, his old comrade from the Argo, in a war with Sparta. Cepheus was wary about leaving his kingdom undefended if he went to war with Sparta, although refusing to help would very well have angered Heracles. Heracles though, gave to Cepheus’ daughter, Sterope, a lock of Medusa’ hair. Proclaiming that if held aloft if Tegea were to be attacked, then the attacking army would flee from the battle. Some say though, that it was Athena who gave to Sterope the protecting gift. Satisfied that Tegea was protected, Cepheus and his twenty sons, joined Heracles in his expedition against Hippocoon. Heracles was successfully in his war with Sparta, but in the process Cepheus was killed, as were all of his sons; although, some say three of Cepheus’ sons survived. |
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Colin Quartermain - The Argonaut Cepheus - 1st May 2023