MEDUS IN GREEK MYTHOLOGY
Medus was the son of the sorceress Medea in Greek mythology, born to be King of Athens, Medus instead would become King of Colchis.
Medus Son of Medea
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Medea had been abandoned by Jason in Corinth, when Jason planned to marry Creusa, although Medea had her revenge. Medea then fled to Athens, where she seduced and married King Aegeus. By Aegeus, Medea would give birth to a son called Medus.
Less commonly, Medus is called a son of Jason, with Medea made pregnant before her abandonment. |
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Medus of Athens
In Athens, Medea would groom Medus to succeed Aegeus as King of Athens.
The plans of Medea though, were soon curtailed, for Theseus arrived in Athens to claim his birthright. Medea would attempt to poison Theseus, before Aegeus recognised his own son, but the poisoned chalice was dashed from Theseus’ hand by his father.
Medea, and Medus, were thus forced to flee from Athens.
The plans of Medea though, were soon curtailed, for Theseus arrived in Athens to claim his birthright. Medea would attempt to poison Theseus, before Aegeus recognised his own son, but the poisoned chalice was dashed from Theseus’ hand by his father.
Medea, and Medus, were thus forced to flee from Athens.
Medus in Colchis
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In the myth of Medus, mother and son were separated in a storm, although both were making their way to Colchis, Medea’s homeland.
Medus would arrive in Colchis first, but the land was now ruled by Perses, Medea’s uncle, who had deposed Aeetes, potentially killing him. Perses though, now lived in fear of a descended of Aeetes having their revenge. Medus recognised the jeopardy he was in, so in an attempt to save his own life, Medus claimed that he was Hippotes, son of King Creon of Corinth. This ruse saved Medus from immediate death, but it still resulted in Medus being thrown in prison, whilst Perses investigated just who Medus/Hippotes was. As soon as Medus was thrown in prison though, a plague descended upon Colchis. Shortly afterwards, Medea would arrive in Colchis, riding her chariot, gifted from Helios, Medea would claim that she was a priestess of Artemis, who could deliver Perses’ kingdom from the plague. To do so though, she told Perses she would have to kill his prisoner, for Medea feared that Hippotes was hear to get revenge for the death of his father. Medea would go to kill Hippotes, but of course immediately recognised her son. Medea would give Medus a sword, with which, Medus killed Perses. |
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Medus thus became King of Colchis.
Medus would subsequently expand the kingdom of Colchis, conquering neighbouring lands. The new land was called Media, an area now in north-east Iran, named after Medus or Medea.
Medus was said, by some, to have died as sought to his expand his kingdom, dying whilst fighting the Indians.
Medus would subsequently expand the kingdom of Colchis, conquering neighbouring lands. The new land was called Media, an area now in north-east Iran, named after Medus or Medea.
Medus was said, by some, to have died as sought to his expand his kingdom, dying whilst fighting the Indians.
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Colin Quartermain - Medus - 13th September 2021