HIPPOTES IN GREEK MYTHOLOGY
Hippotes was a Prince of Corinth in the tales of Greek mythology, and potentially a king, although surviving sources fail to confirm is ascension to the throne of Corinth.
Hippotes Son of Creon
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Hippotes was the son of King Creon of Corinth, although his mother is not named; Hippotes was thus brother to Creusa.
During the rule of Creon, Jason and Medea were welcomed to Corinth, but after several years, Jason would seek to divorce Medea and marry Creusa. Medusa would have her revenge, killing Creusa and Creon with a poisoned robe. |
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Kings of Corinth
The king list of Corinth in Greek mythology is arguably the least specific of any polis. It might be supposed that Hippotes would succeed his father as king of Corinth, although this is never explicitly confirmed. If Jason had married Creusa before her death, then he might have become king, but having broken his vow to always love Medea, Hera had abandoned him, and his life was now on a downward spiral.
A generation later, at the time of the Trojan War, Colchis appeared to be king-less, for the forces of Corinth were incorporated in those of Agamemnon's.
A generation later, at the time of the Trojan War, Colchis appeared to be king-less, for the forces of Corinth were incorporated in those of Agamemnon's.
Hippotes in Athens
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The last mention of Hippotes, son of Creon, occurs when Hippotes arrives in Athens, Medusa having fled there after the death of Creon and Creusa. Hippotes came to court of Aegeus to seek Medea, so that she could be tried for the murder of Creon and Creusa. Aegeus though refused Hippotes, for Aegeus had been seduced by the sorceress.
Hippotes thus left Athens without justice having been done. |
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The Name of Hippotes
The name of Hippotes would be appear in one further myth though, for when Medea and Medus were eventually forced to leave Athens, after the arrival of Theseus, they made their way to Colchis, the land of Medea’s father.
Medus arrived first, but a prophecy about King Perses having to worry about a prophecy about assassination coming from his brother’s bloodline, Medus could not reveal who he was. Medus thus claimed to be Hippotes son of Creon.
Medus whilst not killed, was put in a prison cell. When Medea arrived, and heard Hippotes was in a prison cell, she feared that he was there to kill her, in revenge for his father’s death. Medea would of course eventually realise who Hippotes was actually, and so it was Perses who would eventually die.
Medus arrived first, but a prophecy about King Perses having to worry about a prophecy about assassination coming from his brother’s bloodline, Medus could not reveal who he was. Medus thus claimed to be Hippotes son of Creon.
Medus whilst not killed, was put in a prison cell. When Medea arrived, and heard Hippotes was in a prison cell, she feared that he was there to kill her, in revenge for his father’s death. Medea would of course eventually realise who Hippotes was actually, and so it was Perses who would eventually die.
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Colin Quartermain - Hippotes - 24th August 2025