MANTO IN GREEK MYTHOLOGY
Manto was one of the most prestigious of seers in Greek mythology. The daughter of Tiresias, Manto was known for her prophetic ability, as well as being the mother of Mopsus.
Manto Daughter of Tiresias
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Manto was one of the three daughters of the seer Tiresias; Manto’s sisters being Historis and Daphne. The mother of Manto is not named, and it is possible that Tiresias bore Manto himself, for at one point in Tiresias’ long life, he had been transformed into a woman.
The prophetic ability of Manto meant that she was considered to be the assistant of her father. |
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Manto and Alcmaeon
Manto, and Tiresias, were residents of Thebes, at the time when the Epigoni attacked the city; the Epigoni seeking revenge for the deaths of their fathers ten years previously.
Tiresias urged the Thebans to flee Thebes before the attack commenced, and most did so, but according the Euripides, in Alcmaeon, tells of Manto being captured as a war prize. With Manto being extremely beautiful, she was given to Alcmaeon, the leader of the Epigoni.
Manto was said to have born two children, by Alcmaeon, Amphilochus and Tisiphone.
Tiresias urged the Thebans to flee Thebes before the attack commenced, and most did so, but according the Euripides, in Alcmaeon, tells of Manto being captured as a war prize. With Manto being extremely beautiful, she was given to Alcmaeon, the leader of the Epigoni.
Manto was said to have born two children, by Alcmaeon, Amphilochus and Tisiphone.
Manto and Rhacius
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Manto was sent to Delphi by Alcmaeon as a war prize, where Apollo made her one of his priestesses. The god then instructed her to travel to Colophon, to establish a temple and oracle dedicated to him. Manto followed the word of Apollo, and at Claros, on the Ionian coast, did just that.
When King Rhacius of Caria came to Colophon. He would wed Manto, some telling of how Manto acted on a prophecy about marrying the person she would meet in Colophon. |
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Manto and Colophon were said to have one son, Mopsus, a renowned seer; although others affirm that Mopsus was actually the son of Manto and Apollo.
Another version of the tale of Manto, tell that she was captured by King Rhacius at Claros, when she and other Thebans fled the city of Thebes in the face of Epigoni.
Another version of the tale of Manto, tell that she was captured by King Rhacius at Claros, when she and other Thebans fled the city of Thebes in the face of Epigoni.
Manto in Italy
Later myths also tell of Manto subsequently travelling to Italy, where she married Tiberinus, the Potamoi associated with the Tiber. Manto would then give birth to a son, Ocnus, who would found a city and province, places which he named Mantua in honour of his mother,
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Colin Quartermain - Manto - 9th September 2025