Diocles (mythology)

In Greek mythology, Diocles (Ancient Greek: Διοκλῆς Dioklēs) may refer to:

• Diocles, king of Pherae as son of previous ruler Orsilochus. He was possibly the brother of Medusa, wife of Polybus of Corinth^[1] and Dorodoche, wife of Icarius of Sparta.^[2] Diocles was the father of the twins Orsilochus and Crethon,^[3] and also of Anticleia, the mother of Nicomachus and Gorgasus by Machaon.^[4] These two grandsons succeeded him on the throne after his death.^[4] In the Odyssey, Telemachus and Peisistratus spent a night at his house on their way to Sparta,^[5] as well as on their way back.^[6]
• Diocles or Dioclus,^[7] king and one of the first priests of Demeter, and one of the first to learn the secrets of the Eleusinian Mysteries, along with Triptolemus and Polyxenus.^[8]
• Diocles, king of Megara, who was overthrown by Theseus, as a result of which Eleusis was annexed from Megara.^[9] He may be identical with #2.