LYCURGUS OF ARCADIA IN GREEK MYTHOLOGY
Lycurgus was the long-lived king of Arcadia in Greek mythology.
Lycurgus Son of Aleus
Lycurgus was the son of Aleus, king of Tegea, Arcadia; Aleus being the grandson of Arcas, the man who gave his name to Arcadia. Lycurgus’ mother was named Neaera, daughter of Pereus. Lycurgus was thus sibling to a number of famous individuals, including the Argonauts, Amphidamas and Cepheus, as well as Alcidice and Auge.
Lycurgus King of the Arcadians
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Lycurgus became king of the Arcadians upon the death of his father.
Lycurgus would marry, with the wife of Lycurgus variously named as Antinoe, Cleophyle or Eurynome. Lycurgus would thereafter become father of fours sons; Amphidamas, Ancaeus, Epochus and Iasius. |
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In his lifetime Lycurgus was most famous for his fight with Areithous, King of Arne. Areithous was known for wielding an iron-club, rejecting all other weapons. Lycurgus would lure Areithous into a narrow passage way between hills. The passage was not wide enough for Areithous to swing his club, making him an easy adversary for Lycurgus, who killed the king of Arne with his spear.
Lycurgus would strip Areithous of his armour, and would thereafter war it himself. When Lycurgus was nearing the end of his life, Lycurgus gifted the armour to his favoured servant, Ereuthalion. Ereuthalion would be wearing this armour when he faced Nestor in combat.
Lycurgus would strip Areithous of his armour, and would thereafter war it himself. When Lycurgus was nearing the end of his life, Lycurgus gifted the armour to his favoured servant, Ereuthalion. Ereuthalion would be wearing this armour when he faced Nestor in combat.
The Sons of Lycurgus
As previous stated, Lycurgus was father to four sons -
Lycurgus lived to an advanced age, outliving all of his sons. As a result, upon his death, he was succeeded as king of Tegea by Echemus; Echemus being a great-nephew of Lycurgus. In antiquity his tomb was perhaps found in Lepreum.
- Amphidamas – Far less famous than his uncle, who was an Argonaut, Amphidamas would become father to Melanion, husband of Atalanta, and Antimache, wife of Eurystheus.
- Ancaeus – The most famous of Lycurgus’ sons, Ancaeus was both an Argonaut and hunter of the Calydonian Boar. Ancaeus though was killed by the boar during the famous hunt. Ancaeus would become father to another Greek hero, Agapenor.
- Epochus - Epochus would join his brother, Ancaeus, in Calydon, to take part in the boar hunt. Afterwards, Epochus would fall ill and die whilst still relatively young.
- Iasius – Iasius would marry Clymene, and became father to Atalanta.
Lycurgus lived to an advanced age, outliving all of his sons. As a result, upon his death, he was succeeded as king of Tegea by Echemus; Echemus being a great-nephew of Lycurgus. In antiquity his tomb was perhaps found in Lepreum.
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Colin Quartermain - Lycurgus of Arcadia- 28th September 2025