MACAR OF RHODES IN GREEK MYTHOLOGY

Macar was a relatively common name in the tales of Greek mythology, arguably the most famous of these though, was the Heliad Macar, who was associated with the islands of Rhodes and Lesbos. 

Macar Son of Helios

​Macar, who is also referred to as Macareus, was most commonly considered to a son of the god Helios, and the nymph Rhode. This parentage made Macar one of the Heliadae, and thus brother to six others; Ochimus, Cercaphus, Actis, Tenages, Triopas and Candalus. Macar also has one sister, Electryone

Less commonly, Macar is called the son of Crinacus, King of Olenus, although this parentage does not deal with the early life of Macar

Macar and The Murder of Tenages

​Macar, and the other Heliadae, would live on the island of Rhodes, having first driven out the Telechines, the original inhabitants of the islands. 

Macar, as well as his brothers, were expert astrologers, a gift from their father, and were said to be the first to divide the day into hours. The Heliadae were also experts in seamanship, a gift from their grandfather, Poseidon, for Rhode was said to be his daughter. 

Macar was jealous of the kills of his brother Tenages though, for Tenages’ skill far outstripped that of the other Heliadae. Macar, Actis, Triopas and Candalus allowed this jealousy to overcome them, and they killed their brother. 

The murder was of course eventually discovered, and the murderers were forced to flee from Rhodes, leaving only Ochimus and Cercaphus of the Heliadae behind.

Macar on Lesbos

​Macar would travel to the island of Lesbos, although it was not yet named, and there he flourished for he became ruler of the island, and expanded his kingdom by conquering neighbouring islands. 

Subsequently though, the importance of Macar to the island of Lesbos comes through his children, for he was said to be father of six daughters, and potentially five sons. Names for Macar’s children come primarily from Stephanus of Byzantium’ Ethnica, or Diodorus Siculus’ Bibliotheca historica.

Macar’s most famous daughter was Methymna, eponym of the Lesbos city. Methymna would marry Lesbos, son of Lapithus, after whom the island would then be named. 

Macar’s other daughters were Agamede, Antissa, Arisbe, Issa and Mytilene, all of whom gave their names to cities on Lesbos, although not all seemed to have survived into later antiquity. 

The sons of Macar were Cydolaus, Eresus, Leucippus, Neandrus, and another unnamed son. The sons of Macar were leaders of colonists who sailed from Lesbos, some to the islands conquered by Macar, and some to other lands. 

In the Iliad, Lesbos is called “the seat of Macar”, although it would be reasonable to assume that he was no longer alive at that time, for the island was also called the “Garden of Priam”.
Colin Quartermain - Macar of Rhodes- 28th August 2021