In Greek mythology, Cychreus (Ancient Greek: υχρεύς) was a king of Salamis Island. He was the son of the god Poseidon and the nymph Salamis,[1][2] daughter of potamoi Asopus[3][4][5] and Metope. Salamis was kidnapped by a god and taken to Salamis Island, which was named after her.[6]
There are several accounts of Cychreus, among which it is believed that he:
- Fought a dragon/serpent (Cychreides) that was terrorizing the island of Salamis, and upon slaying it was made king.[7][8]
- Raised a dragon/serpent (Cychreides) as a pet, before he became ruler of Salamis. It went on a rampage, and was driven away or captured by Eurylochus, who gave it to Demeter, a goddess, who then kept it for her own.[9][10]
- Was known as "the dragon" for his short tempered nature, and terrorized the island of Salamis until driven off by Eurylochus, but was received at Eleusis by Demeter, who made him her high priest.[11]
During the Battle of Salamis a dragon appeared among the Athenian ships, and an oracle claimed it was Cychreus. A sanctuary was built in the island of Salamis in his honour.[12]
Cychreus was involved with the nymph Stilbe, and became the father of Chariclo, Chiron's wife.[13] According to Pherecydes of Leros, Cychreus was the father of Glauce, and Glauce and Actaeus were the parents of Telamon;[14][15] in other versions of the myth, Telamon is the son of Aeacus and Endeïs.[16] After murdering his brother Phocus, Telamon, along with his brother and accomplice Peleus, were expelled by Aeacus from Aegina, and Telamon took refuge in the court of Cychreus. When Cychreus died childless, he was made king of Salamina.[17][18] According to Diodorus Siculus, Telamon took refuge in Salamis when fleeing from Aegina, married Glauce, daughter of Cychreus, and became king of Salamis; after Glauce's death, Telamon married Eriboea of Athens, daughter of Alcathous, with whom he had Ajax.[19]
Notes
References
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