MEGAPENTHES IN GREEK MYTHOLOGY
Megapenthes was a king from the tales of Greek mythology. Megapenthes would go on to rule two kingdoms, that of Tiryns and then Argos.
Megapenthes son of Proetus
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Megapenthes is commonly said to be the son of Proetus, King of Tiryns, by Stheneboea, and thus sister to Lysippe, Iphinoe and Iphianassa. Being son of Proetus, Megapenthes was also the nephew of Acrisius, the King of Argos.
Megapenthes was father to potentially three children. Commonly, Megapenthes is named as father of a son called, Argeus. Less commonly, Anaxagoras is also called a son of Megapenthes, although Anaxagoras is also named as a son of Argeus, and thus grandson of Megapenthes. |
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Megapenthes King of Tiryns and then Argos
Megapenthes is famous for is interactions with Perseus. Perseus returned to Argos to find that his grandfather, Acrisius, had been deposed by his Proetus. Perseus would use Medusa’ head to turn Proetus to stone, and Acrisius thus became King of Argos again.
The death of Proetus saw Megapenthes become King of Tiryns.
Acrisius though, did not rule for much longer, for he was accidentally killed by Perseus.
Perseus was now rightfully the King of Argos, but Perseus, perhaps ashamed about taking the kingdom of the man he had killed, went to Megapenthes and asked for an exchange of kingdom. Megapenthes agreed to this, and so Megapenthes became King of Argos, whilst Perseus became King of Tiryns.
The death of Proetus saw Megapenthes become King of Tiryns.
Acrisius though, did not rule for much longer, for he was accidentally killed by Perseus.
Perseus was now rightfully the King of Argos, but Perseus, perhaps ashamed about taking the kingdom of the man he had killed, went to Megapenthes and asked for an exchange of kingdom. Megapenthes agreed to this, and so Megapenthes became King of Argos, whilst Perseus became King of Tiryns.
Argos After Megapenthes
A less often told version of the Perseus myth, tells of Megapenthes killing Perseus in revenge for the killing of Megapenthes’ father.
More commonly though, Perseus is said to have had a long and successful reign in Tiryns, where he also founded Mycenae; likewise, Megapenthes was said to have had a long rule in Argos, for it was his grandson, Anaxagoras, who succeeded him.
More commonly though, Perseus is said to have had a long and successful reign in Tiryns, where he also founded Mycenae; likewise, Megapenthes was said to have had a long rule in Argos, for it was his grandson, Anaxagoras, who succeeded him.
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Colin Quartermain - Megapenthes - 30th August 2021