DEMOPHON IN GREEK MYTHOLOGY
Demophon was a noted and king of Greek mythology. Demophon also happened to be the son of one ancient Greece’s most famous heroes, Theseus.
Demophon Son of Theseus
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Most commonly Demophon is said to have been the son of the hero Theseus and Phaedra, daughter of King Minos. Demophon would thus have a full-brother in the form of Acamas, as well as half-brothers, Melanippus and Hippolytus.
Demophon’s mother, Phaedra, would commit suicide after she made false allegations against Hippolytus. Theseus then sought for himself a new wife, and decided it was to be Helen, whilst also attempting to assist his best friend, Pirithous, to make Persephone his new bride. |
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Demophon would find himself exiled from Athens, for whilst Theseus was trapped in the Underworld, the throne of Athens passed to Menestheus, after the attack of the Dioscuri. Demophon and Acamas would find sanctuary in Euboea, where Elephenor made them welcome.
Subsequently, having already lost his mother, Demophon would also lose his father, for Theseus was said to have been killed on Scyros by Lycomedes.
Subsequently, having already lost his mother, Demophon would also lose his father, for Theseus was said to have been killed on Scyros by Lycomedes.
Demophon at Troy
Although not mentioned by Homer, other sources do tell of Demophon, and his brother Acamas, fighting during the Trojan War; possibly, Demophon accompanied Elephenor, when Elephenor assembled his 40 ships at Aulis.
Missing from the Iliad, Demophon only appears late in the war, when other sources tell of events after the end of the Iliad. Elephenor fell early in the war, and so it is presumed that Demophon took over leadership of the Ebantes.
Demophon is commonly named as present within the Trojan Horse, the ruse that allowed Achaean warriors to gain entry to the city centre. This of course then led to the Sacking of Troy, and ultimate success in the war.
After Troy had fallen, amongst the spoils gathered by the Achaeans were many captives. Amongst these captives, was Aethra, Demophon’s grandmother. Demophon and Acamas now went to Agamemnon and asked for her to be released from her servitude to Helen; and for this the sons of Theseus were willing to forsake all other treasure,
Helen and Agamemnon agreed to the request of Demophon, and Aethra was now free; and Agamemnon also bestowed on Demophon and Acamas a significant amount of treasure.
Missing from the Iliad, Demophon only appears late in the war, when other sources tell of events after the end of the Iliad. Elephenor fell early in the war, and so it is presumed that Demophon took over leadership of the Ebantes.
Demophon is commonly named as present within the Trojan Horse, the ruse that allowed Achaean warriors to gain entry to the city centre. This of course then led to the Sacking of Troy, and ultimate success in the war.
After Troy had fallen, amongst the spoils gathered by the Achaeans were many captives. Amongst these captives, was Aethra, Demophon’s grandmother. Demophon and Acamas now went to Agamemnon and asked for her to be released from her servitude to Helen; and for this the sons of Theseus were willing to forsake all other treasure,
Helen and Agamemnon agreed to the request of Demophon, and Aethra was now free; and Agamemnon also bestowed on Demophon and Acamas a significant amount of treasure.
Demophon and Phyllis
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The Achaeans would leave Troy, and many would have further adventures before they reached home, if they ever did.
Demophon and his ships would land in Thrace, in a part where King Sithon ruled. The daughter of Sithon was Phyllis, who fell in love with the Greek hero. Demophon promised to marry Phyllis, but first he would have to return to his kingdom to put his own affairs in order. Demophon though was delayed in his journey, to and from, Thrace, perhaps waylaid in Cyprus, and so, when Demophon, failed to return on the day promised, Phyllis committed suicide. |
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Some tell though, that Phyllis died from longing and was transformed by the gods into a tree. The tree though withered until Demophon finally returned to Thrace, and seeing his metamorphosed lover, hugged the tree. The tree then started to blossom.
The Casket of Phyllis
Some versions of the Demophon myth tell of his demise, brought about by Phyllis. Phyllis was said to have given Demophon a casket, but told him no to open it, unless he had no hope of returning to Thrace.
Demophon was said to have opened the casket when he was in Cyprus, What he saw inside so horrified him, that he jumped on his horse and set out for a wild, uncontrollable ride. Eventually, Demophon fell from his horse, landing on his own sword, killing himself.
Demophon was said to have opened the casket when he was in Cyprus, What he saw inside so horrified him, that he jumped on his horse and set out for a wild, uncontrollable ride. Eventually, Demophon fell from his horse, landing on his own sword, killing himself.
Demophon King of Athens
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Others tell of the news of Demophon’s death being premature, and that the son of Theseus returned to Athens.
Whether Menestheus had himself returned to Athens is debated, for some say he became King of Melos instead, but if he had returned to Athens then he soon died, leaving the throne empty. Thus, it was that Demophon became King of Athens, just as his father had once been. Demophon was said to have ruled for 33 years, and a number of notable events took place during his reign. One such event was when Diomedes mistakenly landed in Attica and started to attack settlements, not realising where he was. Demophon set out ahead of his army to fight the invader, and in the subsequent battle the Athenians acquired the Palladium that Diomedes had taken from Troy. In the battle though, Demophon killed a fellow Athenian, accidentally trampling him beneath the hooves of his horse. Demophon would establish the court of the Ephetae, an ancient Athenian tribunal of 51 judges that handled homicide cases. Demophon was the first to be tried in the court, and it has to be presumed he was acquitted. |
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Demophon would also host Orestes, despite Orestes being chased by the Erinyes, after the son of Agamemnon had killed his mother. It was in Athens that Orestes was tried for his crime, although he was acquitted through the vote of Athena.
Demophon would also welcome the Heraclidae, the descendants of Heracles, to Athens, when they were fleeing from the persecution of King Eurystheus. Eurystheus would die after trying to attack Athens, and afterwards, Demophon gave land ans settlements in Attica to the Heraclidae.
Upon his death, Demophon was succeeded by his son, Oxyntes. The wife of Demophon is not recorded in surviving sources, nor is it clear whether Demophon fathered any other children.
Demophon would also welcome the Heraclidae, the descendants of Heracles, to Athens, when they were fleeing from the persecution of King Eurystheus. Eurystheus would die after trying to attack Athens, and afterwards, Demophon gave land ans settlements in Attica to the Heraclidae.
Upon his death, Demophon was succeeded by his son, Oxyntes. The wife of Demophon is not recorded in surviving sources, nor is it clear whether Demophon fathered any other children.
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Colin Quartermain - Demophon - 13th October 2025