MOPSUS IN GREEK MYTHOLOGY
Mopsus was amongst the most famous of seers spoken of in the tales of Greek mythology, with Mopsus being the most accurate of all seers in the time of the Trojan War.
Mopsus Son of Rhacius and Manto
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Mopsus was the son of Rhacius, King of Caria, and Manto, daughter of the seer Tiresias; although some call Apollo father of Mopsus.
Mopsus was, in either case, half-brother to Amphilochus, the son of Manto and Alcmaeon. Mopsus was said to have been born and raised in Claros, a sanctuary in Ionia, where Manto and Rhacius had been wed. |
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The lineage of Mopsus, through Manto and Tiresias, made it only natural that he had inherited the gift of prophecy, and when of age, Mopsus had become the chief priest to Apollo there.
Mopsus the Founding Hero
Mopsus would also become a founding hero, for it was said that with his half-brother Amphilochus had founded Mallus in Cilicia. Mallus would develop into one of the great oracle locations of the ancient world.
Mopsus was also credited with founding other cities of Cilicia and Pamphylia, including Mopsuestia.
Mopsus was also credited with founding other cities of Cilicia and Pamphylia, including Mopsuestia.
Mopsus and Calchas
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The path of Mopsus would eventually cross with one of the other great seers of the day, Calchas. Calchas had been the main seer of the Achaean army at Troy, providing many of the prophecies that guided Agamemnon. A prophecy had been told about Calchas though, saying his death would come when he met a seer greater than himself.
Calchas came to Claros, and a contest between the seers commenced; although there are many different versions of the contest between Mopsus and Calchas. A simple version tells of a Lycian king called Amphimachus asking both seers about an impending campaign that the king wished to go on. Calchas predicted great success, whilst Mopsus foretold defeat. Amphimachus liked Calchas’ prediction more than Mopsus’, but Amphimachus was defeated, and Calchas then killed himself. More prosaic versions tell of predictions involving figs or pigs. One tale tells of Calchas asking Mopsus how many figs were growing on a wild fig tree. Mopsus responded with the figure of 10001, and when all the figs were collected, the number of figs was exactly 10001. |
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Mopsus then tested Calchas by asking about the pregnancy of a nearby sow. Calchas admitted that he had no knowledge of what would happen, but Mopsus informed him that the piglets would be born the next day, and only one of 10 would be male; the variations on the numbers involved, vary between sources though.
In either case, having been bested, Calchas was said to have died from grief.
In either case, having been bested, Calchas was said to have died from grief.
The Death of Mopsus
Amphilochus who had briefly, towards the end, fought during the Trojan War, came to Claros, and there, buried his former Achaean comrade, Calchas.
The death of Mopsus though was soon at hand, for a disagreement arose between Amphilochus and Mopsus about the rule of Mallus and the acclaimed sanctuary that they had founded. This disagreement developed into a fight which saw the pair kill each other.
Mopsus, and Amphilochus, were subsequently buried in Mallus, although there burial mounds were located so that one could not be seen from the other. These tombs were visited through antiquity.
The death of Mopsus though was soon at hand, for a disagreement arose between Amphilochus and Mopsus about the rule of Mallus and the acclaimed sanctuary that they had founded. This disagreement developed into a fight which saw the pair kill each other.
Mopsus, and Amphilochus, were subsequently buried in Mallus, although there burial mounds were located so that one could not be seen from the other. These tombs were visited through antiquity.
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Colin Quartermain - Mopsus - 22nd January 2026