KING TEUCER IN GREEK MYTHOLOGY
The name of Teucer, as it appears in Greek mythology, is one closely associated with the Achaean hero Teucer, the half-brother of Ajax the Great. Teucer though is also the given name for a King of the land that would become the Troad; this Teucer would live several generations prior to his more famous namesake.
Teucer Son of ScamanderTeucer is named as a son of the Potamoi, river god, Scamander, and Idaea, the nymph of Mount Ida. Some call Teucer brother of Callirhoe and Glaucia, and whilst it is true Scamander was their father, the births of these, and other individuals connected to the Trojans, occurred over many generations.
Scamander was the god of the river that flows through the Troad; and so, when it is said that Teucer was king of the land known as Teucria in the Troad, it is logical to think that he became king of the land where he was born. In the Aeneid, by Virgil, it though is stated that Teucer and a large population of people were originally from the island of Crete and had moved to the Troad after a famine had hit the island. Teucer father of bateaTeucer was said to have been the father of a single daughter, normally referred to as Batea, although sometimes called Arisba.
It is assumed that these are two names for a single daughter rather than two daughters, for it was said that when Dardanus arrived in Teucria he married the daughter of Teucer, who, depending on the ancient source, was called Batea or Arisba. |
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Teucer and the Trojans
Teucer would divide his kingdom between his son-in-law Dardanus and himself, with Dardanus’ kingdom becoming known as Dardania.
When Teucer died, his kingdom became absorbed into Dardania, for he himself had no sons.
The name of Teucer would be revered amongst the Trojans there after though, and Teucer would be regarded as the first king of the Trojan people, although the populous would not be called that for several generations. The Trojans themselves would often be referred to as Teucrians, and it was a name used a great deal to refer to the people led by Aeneas after the fall of Troy.
When Teucer died, his kingdom became absorbed into Dardania, for he himself had no sons.
The name of Teucer would be revered amongst the Trojans there after though, and Teucer would be regarded as the first king of the Trojan people, although the populous would not be called that for several generations. The Trojans themselves would often be referred to as Teucrians, and it was a name used a great deal to refer to the people led by Aeneas after the fall of Troy.
Teucer and the City of Hamaxitus
There is a circular argument to suggest that Teucer was the founder of the ancient city of Hamaxitus. The Ephesian poet Callinus said of how Hamaxitus was founded by Cretans; the Cretans building on the spot where they were overrun by mice, something they equated to a prior prophecy that they should build where they were attacked by the “earth-born”.
These settlers prayed to Apollo for help, and when the god destroyed the plague of mice, they built the temple of Apollo Smintheus in thanks.
It is now common to link the Cretan settlers, to Virgil’s telling of Teucer arriving from Crete.
These settlers prayed to Apollo for help, and when the god destroyed the plague of mice, they built the temple of Apollo Smintheus in thanks.
It is now common to link the Cretan settlers, to Virgil’s telling of Teucer arriving from Crete.
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Colin Quartermain - King Teucer - 20th November 2019