COROEBUS IN GREEK MYTHOLOGY
The tales of Greek mythology often revolved around the adventures of heroes as the fought against monstrous creatures. One such tale was the tale of Coroebus, although, the tale of this Greek hero is not amongst the most famous.
Coroebus of Argos
Coroebus was a native of Argos, at the time when Crotopus was on the throne. Crotopus’ daughter, Psamathe, had been seduced by the god Apollo. After she had given birth though, Crotopus did not believe that Psamathe had lain with the god, and so he had her killed for becoming pregnant by an unknown man.
In vengeance Apollo sent Poine, the monstrous personification of Vengeance upon Argos. |
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Poine would go from house to house, snatching away young children from their mothers, before killing them.
Coroebus though, would eventually take up arms against the monster, and perhaps with a band of other youthful Argives, came across the monster as she left a house, with two dead children in her hands.
Coroebus rushed forward and before the monster could defend herself thrust his sword deep into her breast, killing her with one strike.
Coroebus though, would eventually take up arms against the monster, and perhaps with a band of other youthful Argives, came across the monster as she left a house, with two dead children in her hands.
Coroebus rushed forward and before the monster could defend herself thrust his sword deep into her breast, killing her with one strike.
Coroebus of Megara
The Megarians though, rejoiced in the fact that the tomb of Coroebus was to be found in their territory rather than Argos.
After the death of Poine, a plague descended upon Argos, and Coroebus believing that he was the cause of this, went to the Oracle at Delphi to find out how he might appease the gods. The Pythia directed Coroebus to pick up a tripod from the temple, and wander the lands until he dropped the tripod. Where the tripod fell, Coroebus was to build a temple to Apollo. |
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Coroebus eventually dropped the tripod on land at the foot of the Geraneia Mountains, and so Coroebus built his temple dedicated to Apollo. This place became known as Tripodiskoi, one of the five original hamlets of Megara. It was thus in Tripodiskoi that Coroebus saw out his life.
The body of Coroebus was then moved to Megara, and there in the agora, the body of the hero was entombed. The grave of Coroebus would thereafter show depictions of his epic deed.
The body of Coroebus was then moved to Megara, and there in the agora, the body of the hero was entombed. The grave of Coroebus would thereafter show depictions of his epic deed.
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Colin Quartermain - Coroebus - 3rd March 2024