TIPHYS IN GREEK MYTHOLOGY

​Tiphys was one of those remembered as heroes of Greek mythology, for Tiphys was named as an Argonaut; the band of heroes who quested for the Golden Fleece. 

Tiphys Son of Agnius

Commonly, Tiphys is named as a son of Agnius (or Hagnias) of Siphai, a town of ancient Boeotia; indeed, Siphai was also known as Tipha in honour of its most famous son. Tiphys was thus also know as Agniades, in recognition of his father

Alternatively, though, Tiphys was named as a son of Phorbas and Hyrmina; and so, Tiphys might have been brother to Augeas and Actor. 

Tiphys the Argonaut

​Tiphys is known as being an Argonaut, for it was said that Athena herself had come to him, and told him to travel to Iolcus. There, at Pagasae Harbour, Jason was gathering a band of heroes, and Jason gladly welcomed Tiphys onboard the Argo. 

Jason’s welcome was due to the fact that Tiphys was said to be well versed in the art of steering a ship, able to use the sun and stars to aide him, and to use storm winds to his benefit. 

The Death of Tiphys

​Tiphys though was destined not to reach Colchis, the location of the Golden Fleece, for the Moirai went to work. Havign safely piloted the Argo through the Clashing Rocks, Tiphys and the other Argonauts landed in the realm of King Lycus of Mariandyne. In the land of Mariandyians, Idmon was killed by a boar, just as he had foreseen, and shortly afterwards Tiphys would die following a short illness. 

Thus, it was left to Ancaeus or Erginus to pilot the Argo to Colchis. 

Some tell of the Argo anchoring off of Siphai on the return of the ship to Greece, as the Argonauts honoured their fallen comrade.

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Colin Quartermain - Tiphys - 30th April 2023