ICARIUS IN GREEK MYTHOLOGY
Icarius was the brother of Tyndareus in Greek mythology, a prince of either Messenia or Sparta.
Icarius Brother of Tyndareus
Icarius is commonly named as the son of Perieres, King of Messenia, and Gorgophone, daughter of Perseus. Gorgophone though married King Oebalus of Sparta after the death of Perieres, and some therefore call Icarius a son of Oebalus; although, when called a son of Oebalus, sometimes the nymph Batia is called the mother.
Icarius was said to have a number of siblings, with Icarius most commonly associated with Tyndareus, and his brother, or stepbrother, Hippocoon.
Icarius was said to have a number of siblings, with Icarius most commonly associated with Tyndareus, and his brother, or stepbrother, Hippocoon.
Icarius in Pleuron
Icarius and Tyndareus were expelled from Sparta when Hippocoon became king, although whether he was the rightful successor to Oebalus, or whether he usurped Tyndareus is debated.
Icarius and Tyndareus would find sanctuary in the court of King Thestius of Pleuron. Icarius and Tyndareus would then aide Thestius in his war with his neighbours, a successful war which saw Thestius expand his kingdom.
Thestius would then grant some of this new land to Icarius, who was said by some to become king of that part of Acarnania. At the same time, Tyndareus would marry Leda, daughter of Thestius. Tyndareus would return to Sparta when Hippocoon and his sons were killed by Heracles.
Icarius and Tyndareus would find sanctuary in the court of King Thestius of Pleuron. Icarius and Tyndareus would then aide Thestius in his war with his neighbours, a successful war which saw Thestius expand his kingdom.
Thestius would then grant some of this new land to Icarius, who was said by some to become king of that part of Acarnania. At the same time, Tyndareus would marry Leda, daughter of Thestius. Tyndareus would return to Sparta when Hippocoon and his sons were killed by Heracles.
Children of Icarius
Icarius was said to have father a number of children, by a number of different women. The most commonly named wife of Icarius was the Naiad Periboea, although other women, Polycaste, Dorodche, Asterodia and Erymede were also named as consorts of Icarius.
The children of Icarius were said to include Alyzeus, Leucadius, Aletes, Imeusimus, Damasippus Thoas, Iphthime, Perileos and, most famously, Penelope. |
|
Icarius and Penelope
Penelope was the favoured child of Icarius, but eventually Odysseus came to Acarnania to seek her hand in marriage. Tyndareus had agreed to help Odysseus marry his niece, although Odysseus was also said to have had to win a running race organised by Icarius. Icarius though did not wish to see his daughter depart from Acarnania, and begged Penelope to stay, although eventually Penelope decided to depart with her new husband.
Upon the death of Icarius, his Acarnanian kingdom was said to have passed to Alyzeus and Leucadius.
Upon the death of Icarius, his Acarnanian kingdom was said to have passed to Alyzeus and Leucadius.
|
Colin Quartermain - Icarius - 15th August 2021