NELEUS IN GREEK MYTHOLOGY
Neleus in Greek Mythology
In Greek mythology, Neleus was a King of Pylas, a son of Poseidon, a brother of Pelias and father of Nestor, and so a relatively important figure, linking many different mythological strands.
Neleus Son of TyroThe mother of Neleus was Tyro, the daughter of King Salmoneus and Queen Alcidice; importantly Alcidice would die, and Tyro gained a wicked stepmother, in the form of Sidero. Sidero would constantly mistreat her step-daughter.
The order of events leading to his birth, differs between sources, but the most common version begins with Tyro besides the banks of the River Enipeus. Tyro was said to be infatuated by the Potamoi Enipeus, but Poseidon, learning of this infatuation, disguised himself as Enipeus, and slept with Tyro. As a result, Tyro would fall pregnant with twin boys. Some then tell of Tyro exposing these sons, either because she was ashamed, or because her father Salmoneus, told her to, not believing that Tyro had lay with a god, and instead believing it was some trickery of his brother, Sisyphus. Subsequently, Tyro would marry King Cretheus of Iolcus, with Tyro then giving birth to three children, Aeson, Amythaon and Pheres. Alternatively, a less mystical tale is told whereby Neleus and Pelias were simply additional children Tyro and Cretheus, rather than being Poseidon’s offspring. |
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Neleus and Pelias
Of course, though left for dead, Neleus and Pelias, did not die, and were rescued by a keeper of horses; some say that this horse-keeper raised them, whilst others say that this man gave them over to Sidero to care for them. In this latter case, Neleus and Pelias would have witnessed the mistreatment of Tyro.
When Neleus, and Pelias, reached adulthood, they became aware of who their mother was, and the mistreatment of her. Neleus and Pelias then sought vengeance for their mother, and though Sidero took refuge in the sanctuary of Hera, Pelias still killed her.
When Neleus, and Pelias, reached adulthood, they became aware of who their mother was, and the mistreatment of her. Neleus and Pelias then sought vengeance for their mother, and though Sidero took refuge in the sanctuary of Hera, Pelias still killed her.
Neleus Comes to Pylos
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There followed a disagreement between Neleus and Pelias, although whether this was before, or after, Pelias had usurped Aeson to become king of Iolcus (Cretheus having died), depends on the source being read.
Neleus and Pelias would go their separate ways, with Neleus arriving in Messenia. There, Neleus would receive from his cousin, King Aphareus, a coastal strip of land, where it was said that Neleus created a new city-state called Pylos. |
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Neleus and Chloris
Neleus would marry Chloris, who most say was the only surviving Niobid; Chloris was thus daughter of King Amphion of Thebes and Niobe. Neleus would become father a number of children, with the sons of Chloris and Neleus were named as Alastor, Asterius, Chomius, Deimachus, Epilaus, Eurybis, Eurymenes, Evagoras, Nestor, Phrasius, Pylaon and Taurus.
A further son of Chloris was named as Periclymenus, though Periclymenus was potentially a son of Poseidon, rather than Neleus.
The daughter of Neleus was said to have been Pero. Neleus would demand from the suitors of his daughter the cattle of Phylacus, cattle which were guarded by a fearsome dog. Bias, with a great deal of assistance from his brother, Melampus, retrieved the cattle, and so Pero, the daughter of Neleus, would become Queen of Argos.
A further son of Chloris was named as Periclymenus, though Periclymenus was potentially a son of Poseidon, rather than Neleus.
The daughter of Neleus was said to have been Pero. Neleus would demand from the suitors of his daughter the cattle of Phylacus, cattle which were guarded by a fearsome dog. Bias, with a great deal of assistance from his brother, Melampus, retrieved the cattle, and so Pero, the daughter of Neleus, would become Queen of Argos.
The Downfall of Neleus
The downfall of Neleus came years after the son of Tyro became king of Pylos, for during his kingship, Heracles came to the kingdom. In a fit of madness Heracles had killed Iphitus, son of Eurytus; with Heracles throwing Iphitus from the walls of Tiryns.
Now, Heracles sought absolution for his crime, and such absolution was a power that kings of Ancient Greece had. King Eurytus had been a friend of Neleus though, and so Neleus refused to cleanse Heracles of his crime.
Later, Heracles would return to the Peloponnese, and the son of Zeus conducted a series of military campaigns; and Heracles thus attacked Pylos in retribution for Neleus’ former refusal.
Neleus, and all his sons, bar Nestor, were said to have taken part in the defence of Pylos, and yet even with the god Hades, fighting alongside them, the kingdom of Neleus fell to Heracles.
Neleus, along with all his sons, apart from Nestor who was not in Pylos at the time, and perhaps Periclymenus, who some say transformed himself into an eagle to escape, died in the defence.
Now, Heracles sought absolution for his crime, and such absolution was a power that kings of Ancient Greece had. King Eurytus had been a friend of Neleus though, and so Neleus refused to cleanse Heracles of his crime.
Later, Heracles would return to the Peloponnese, and the son of Zeus conducted a series of military campaigns; and Heracles thus attacked Pylos in retribution for Neleus’ former refusal.
Neleus, and all his sons, bar Nestor, were said to have taken part in the defence of Pylos, and yet even with the god Hades, fighting alongside them, the kingdom of Neleus fell to Heracles.
Neleus, along with all his sons, apart from Nestor who was not in Pylos at the time, and perhaps Periclymenus, who some say transformed himself into an eagle to escape, died in the defence.
The Kingdom of Pylos
After the death of Neleus, the kingdom of Pylos became Nestor’s, although it was perhaps divided between Nestor and Periclymenus; although, the descendants of Heracles would later say that Nestor had but held the throne of Pylos until the future return of Heracles.
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Colin Quartermain - Neleus - 12th January 2020