METION IN GREEK MYTHOLOGY

Metion is a minor figure amongst the myriad of tales of Greek mythology; but his importance in ancient Athens was more significant, for he was part of the Athenian royal family.

​Metion Son of Erechtheus

​Metion was the on of King Erechtheus of Athens, born to Erechtheus’ wife, Praxithea. Metion was thus brother to the likes of Cecrops, Pandorus,  Chthonia, Creusa, Oreithyia, Pandora, Procris and Protogeneia

At some point, it was said that Metion would become father to three sons, by women unknown; these sons of Metion were possibly Eupalamus, Sicyon and Daedalus, although each son was also given different parentages in Greek mythological sources. 

In any case, the sons of Metion were collectively known as the Metionadae or Metionids. 

​Metion Rejected

​After a war with the Eleusians, Erechtheus was stuck down by Poseidon, and as a result discussions commenced about who would succeed Erechtheus to the Athenian throne. Metion certainly felt that he had a strong case, but the final decision was placed in the hands of Xuthus, son of Hellen, who was a son-in-law of Erechtheus.

Xuthus would decide that Cecrops would succeed his father as king, a decision that would see Xuthus exiled from Athens by Metion and Pandorus. 

​The Metionadae

​Later, Pandion II, son of Cecrops II, was overthrown by the sons of Metion, presumably because they felt that Cecrops had been made King of Athens, instead of their father, robbing them of their birthright. 

What role, if any, Metion played in the overthrow of Pandion is not expanded upon in surviving sources, nor is it clear whether he was still alive at the time, for there is no record of his passing. 

The rule of Metion’s sons came to an end, when the sons of Pandion II, the Pandionidae (Aegeus, Lycus, Nisus and Pallas) overthrew them. 

Contents

Colin Quartermain - Metion - 7th September 2025