Sons of Aegyptus

Summary

In Greek mythology, the Sons of Aegyptus were the fifty progeny of the king of Egypt, Aegyptus. They married their cousins, the fifty daughters of Danaus, twin brother of Aegyptus. In the most common version of the myth, they were all killed except one, Lynceus, who was saved by his wife Hypermnestra on their wedding night.

Apollodorus edit

The list in the Bibliotheca[1] preserves not only the names of brides and grooms, but also those of their mothers. A lot was cast among the sons of Aegyptus to decide which of the Danaids each should marry except for those daughters born to Memphis who were joined by their namesakes, the sons of Tyria. According to Hippostratus, Aegyptus had these progeny by a single woman called Eurryroe, daughter of Nilus.[2]

Apollodorus' list of the sons of Aegyptus
Aegyptus' Sons Mother Danaids Mother of the Danaids Aegyptus' Sons Mother Danaids Mother of the Danaids
1 Lynceus Argyphia Hypermnestra Elephantis 26 Chrysippus Tyria Chrysippe Memphis
2 Proteus Gorgophone 27 Eurylochus Caliadne, a naiad Autonoe Polyxo, a naiad
3 Busiris Automate Europe 28 Phantes Theano
4 Enceladus Amymone 29 Peristhenes Electra
5 Lycus Agave 30 Hermus Cleopatra (different one)
6 Daiphron Scaea 31 Dryas Eurydice
7 Istrus Arabian woman Hippodamia Atlanteia or of Phoebe,

the Hamadryads

32 Potamon Glaucippe
8 Chalcodon Rhodia 33 Cisseus Antheleia
9 Agenor Cleopatra 34 Lixus Cleodore
10 Chaetus Asteria 35 Imbrus Evippe (different one)
11 Diocorystes Hippodamia (different one) 36 Bromius Erato
12 Alces Glauce 37 Polyctor Stygne
13 Alcmenor Hippomedusa 38 Chthonius Bryce
14 Hippothous Gorge 39 Periphas Gorgo Actaea Pieria
15 Euchenor Iphimedusa 40 Oeneus Podarce
16 Hippolytus Rhode 41 Aegyptus Dioxippe
17 Agaptolemus Phoenician woman Pirene Ethiopian woman 42 Menalces Adite
18 Cercetes Dorion 43 Lampus Ocypete
19 Eurydamas Phartis 44 Idmon Pylarge
20 Aegius Mnestra 45 Idas Hephaestine Hippodice Herse
21 Argius Evippe 46 Daiphron (different one) Adiante
22 Archelaus Anaxibia 47 Pandion Callidice Crino
23 Menemachus Nelo 48 Arbelus Oeme
24 Clitus Tyria Clite Memphis 49 Hyperbius Celaeno
25 Sthenelus Sthenele 50 Hippocorystes Hyperippe

Hyginus edit

Gaius Julius Hyginus' list is partially corrupt and some of the names (marked with *) are nearly illegible. Nevertheless, it is evident that this catalogue has almost nothing in common with that of Pseudo-Apollodorus.[3]

Hyginus' list of the sons of Aegyptus
Aegyptus' Sons Danaids Aegyptus' Sons Danaids Aegyptus' Sons Danaids Aegyptus' Sons Danaids Aegyptus' Sons Danaids
1 Antimachus Midea 11 Mineus Myrmidone 21 Niauius Glaucippe 31 Polydector Oeme 41 Dolichus Pirene
2 Panthius Philomela 12 Canthus Eurydice 22 Pamphilus Demophile 32 Itonomus Polybe 42 Hyperbius Eupheme
3 Proteus Scylla 13 Asterius Cleo 23 Clytus Autodice 33 Cassus Helicta 43 Podasimus Themistagora
4 Plexippus Amphicomone 14 Xanthus Arcadia 24 Aegyptus Polyxena 34 Hyperantus Electra 44 Aristonoos Celaeno
5 Agenor Evippe 15 Metalces Cleopatra 25 Dryas Hecabe 35 Demarchus Eubule 45 Antiochus Itea
6 Chrysippus Demoditas 16 Philinus Phila 26 Ecnomius Acamantis 36 Pugno Daplidice 46 Eudaemon Erato
7 Perius Hyale 17 Protheon Hipparete 27 Ephialtes Arsalte 37 Andromachus Hero 47 Pelops Danaïs
8 Enceladus Trite 18 Asterides Chrysothemis 28 Eurysthenes Monuste 38 Athletes Europome 48 Hermus Cleopatra
9 Amyntor Damone 19 Athamas Pyrante 29 Midanus Amymone 39 Plexippus Pyrantis 49 Lynceus Hypermnestra
10 Obrimus Hippothoe 20 Armoasbus ? 30 Evidea Helice 40 Antipaphus Critomedia 50 ? ?

Notes edit

  1. ^ Pseudo-Apollodorus. Bibliotheca, Book 2.1.5
  2. ^ John Tzetzes. Chiliades, 7.37 p. 368-369 Translated by Vasiliki Dogani
  3. ^ Hyginus, Fabulae 170

References edit

  • Gaius Julius Hyginus, Fabulae from The Myths of Hyginus translated and edited by Mary Grant. University of Kansas Publications in Humanistic Studies. Online version at the Topos Text Project.
  • John Tzetzes, Book of Histories, Book VII-VIII translated by Vasiliki Dogani from the original Greek of T. Kiessling's edition of 1826. Online version at theio.com
  • Pseudo-Apollodorus, The Library with an English Translation by Sir James George Frazer, F.B.A., F.R.S. in 2 Volumes, Cambridge, MA, Harvard University Press; London, William Heinemann Ltd. 1921. Online version at the Perseus Digital Library. Greek text available from the same website.