POLYCAON IN GREEK MYTHOLOGY

​Polycaon was a King of Messenia and Prince of Laconia according to the tales of Greek mythology; and although not important for any great deed, his role in Greek mythology was to explain the history of both Laconia and Messenia.  

Polycaon Son of Lelex

Polycaon was the son of Lelex, the first King of Laconia, born to Lelex’s wife, the naiad nymph Cleochareia. This made Polycaon brother to Myles, amongst other siblings. 

Polycaon and messene

Polycaon’s brother Myles would succeed their father, Lelex, as king of Laconia. Polycaon though had married Messene, the daughter of King Triopas of Argos, and Polycaon wanted greatness for her, and her husband. 

Messene wanted Polycaon to be king, but rather than foolishly try and usurp Myles, Messene instead organised for a military force of Laconians and Argives to be at their disposal. This military force was then used to conquer the lands west of Laconia, beyond Mount Taygetus. 

This conquered land, now bordered by Elis and Arcadia to the north, and Laconia to the east, would be named Messenia, after Polycaon’s wife. 

Polycaon King of Messenia

Polycaon would thus become the first king of Messenia, and Polycaon built a new city to be his place of power, the city of Andania. It was said to have been during the rule of Polycaon that Caucon brought to Messenia the religious rites associated with the Great goddesses from Eleusis. 
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It was said that Polycaon and Messene have children, and it was also said that Messenia was ruled for a further four generations by the descendants of Polycaon, but no details of the children, or other descendants of Polycaon, exist today. 

Contents

Colin Quartermain - Polycaon - 8th December 2019