EPAPHUS IN GREEK MYTHOLOGY
Epaphus was a legendary King of Egypt in Greek mythology, born from the union between Zeus and Io.
Epaphus Son of Zeus
Epaphus was the son of Zeus, born to the supreme god Zeus, and the Naiad nymph Io. The union of Zeus and Io greatly upset Zeus’ wife, Hera, and as a result Io traversed the world in the form of a heifer, pursued by a gadfly.
Eventually, Io found safety by the banks of the Nile, and was transformed back into female form, and there Epaphus was born.
Some sources say that Epaphus had an elder sister, Ceroessa, born earlier in Io’s wanderings.
Eventually, Io found safety by the banks of the Nile, and was transformed back into female form, and there Epaphus was born.
Some sources say that Epaphus had an elder sister, Ceroessa, born earlier in Io’s wanderings.
The Search for Epaphus
Io might have assumed that she was safe, but the eyes of Hera observed her by the River Nile. Hera ordered the Curetes, though others say the Telechines, to abduct the newborn Epaphus. Zeus would kill the abductors, but the child Epaphus was missing.
Io would eventually find Epaphus in Syria where he had been nursed by the wife of King Malcander of Byblus. |
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Io would thereafter return to Egypt with Epaphus. Epaphus would gain a stepfather there, for Io married Telegonus, King of Egypt.
Epaphus King of Egypt
In time, Epaphus would succeed his stepfather as King of Egypt, and Epaphus would marry Memphis, the Naiad nymph daughter of the Potamoi Nilus. Epaphus was thus named as the mythological founder of the famed city that bore his wife’s name.
Commonly, Epaphus and Libya were said to be parents of a single daughter, Libya; and thus, Epaphus was grandfather to the likes of Belus and Agenor.
Others also name a second daughter of Epaphus, Lysianassa.
Epaphus briefly appears in the tale of Phaethon, for it was Epaphus who raised the first seed of doubt in the mind of Phaethon, about who Phaethon’s father was.
The rule of Epaphus was presumably relatively short though, for some sources tell of the king’s death during a hunting expedition, a death instigated by Hera, jealous that the son of her husband was thriving.
Commonly, Epaphus and Libya were said to be parents of a single daughter, Libya; and thus, Epaphus was grandfather to the likes of Belus and Agenor.
Others also name a second daughter of Epaphus, Lysianassa.
Epaphus briefly appears in the tale of Phaethon, for it was Epaphus who raised the first seed of doubt in the mind of Phaethon, about who Phaethon’s father was.
The rule of Epaphus was presumably relatively short though, for some sources tell of the king’s death during a hunting expedition, a death instigated by Hera, jealous that the son of her husband was thriving.
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Colin Quartermain - Epaphus - 26th May 2022