Proitus (son of Abas)

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Proitos ( Greek  Προῖτος ), the son of Abas and Aglaia , is the first king of Tiryns in Greek mythology . He is the grandson of Hypermestra and Lynkeus , the great-grandson of Danaos and the twin brother of Akrisios .

Escape to Lycia

Proitos was already fighting with Akrisios in the womb. After Abas's death, Proitus initially took over the government of Argos . Later there was a fight between the two brothers. Some sources mention as a reason the legacy of Abas, others that Proitos despite a strict ban with Danaë a son, Perseus , fathered. So it came to the battle in which Proitus was defeated, who then went to Lycia in Asia Minor .

He was received by King Iobates in Lycia; he married his daughter Anteia , who, according to other tradition, was called Stheneboia . With his wife he became the father of three daughters - Iphinoe , Lysippe and Iphianassa, and a son, Megapenthes .

return

When he attacked Akrisios again with the help of his father-in-law, the battle was a draw. The two eventually shared the empire. Akrisios got Argos and the surrounding area, Proitos the north of the area: Tiryns, the Heraion , Midea and the coast of the Argolis . He chose Tiryns as his capital and, with the help of his father-in-law and the Cyclops, built a fortification wall.

Daughters of Proitus

The daughters of Proitus are reported to have committed outrages against Hera or Dionysus and were therefore beaten madly by the deity. Melampus offered his help, but Proitus refused because he asked for half of his empire as a reward. However, when the daughters grew wilder and madness seized all women, Proitos agreed. Melampus now demanded a third of the empire for himself and his brother Bias , which he received after the women were healed.

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predecessor Office successor
Abas King of Argos
14th century BC BC
(mythical chronology)
Akrisios
none King of Tiryns
14th century BC BC
(mythical chronology)
Megapenthes