Phyleus Explained

In Greek mythology, Phyleus (; Ancient Greek: Φυλεύς probably derived from φυλή phylē "tribe, clan, race, people") was an Elean prince and one of the Calydonian boar hunters.^[1]

Family

Phyleus was the elder son of King Augeas of Elis and father of Meges by Eustyoche,^[2] Hagnete^[3] Ctimene,^[4] or Ctesimache.^[5] Timandra, a daughter of King Tyndareus of Sparta, committed adultery with Phyleus (another possible mother of Meges) and deserted her husband Echemus.^[6]

Phyleus was also credited to be the father of Eurydameia, mother of Euchenor and Cleitus by Polyidus.^[7]

Mythology

During the fifth labour of Heracles, the hero asked for payment from Augeas not revealing the command of Eurystheus. But the Elean king knowing the task imposed to the hero, he refused to give him his reward. During the arbitration, Phyleus, witness of the task, was called by Heracles to testify against Augeas. Phyleus supported the hero instead of his father in the matter of the Augean Stables thus in his anger, the king exiled both Phyleus and Heracles. After the latter killed Augeas and his other sons, he gave Phyleus the kingdom.^[8] During the time of his exile, Phyleus led a colony of Epeans to the island of Dulichium.^[9] Thus, his son Meges led the contingent from Dulichium to the Trojan War.^[10]

References

• 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. ISBN 0-674-99135-4. Online version at the Perseus Digital Library. Greek text available from the same website.
• Diodorus Siculus, The Library of History translated by Charles Henry Oldfather. Twelve volumes. Loeb Classical Library. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Harvard University Press; London: William Heinemann, Ltd. 1989. Vol. 3. Books 4.59–8. Online version at Bill Thayer's Web Site
• Diodorus Siculus, Bibliotheca Historica. Vol 1-2. Immanel Bekker. Ludwig Dindorf. Friedrich Vogel. in aedibus B. G. Teubneri. Leipzig. 1888-1890. Greek text available at the Perseus Digital Library.
• 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.
• Hesiod, Catalogue of Women from Homeric Hymns, Epic Cycle, Homerica translated by Evelyn-White, H G. Loeb Classical Library Volume 57. London: William Heinemann, 1914. Online version at theio.com
• Publius Ovidius Naso, Metamorphoses translated by Brookes More (1859-1942). Boston, Cornhill Publishing Co. 1922. Online version at the Perseus Digital Library.
• Publius Ovidius Naso, Metamorphoses. Hugo Magnus. Gotha (Germany). Friedr. Andr. Perthes. 1892. Latin text available at the Perseus Digital Library.
• Tzetzes, John, Allegories of the Iliad translated by Goldwyn, Adam J. and Kokkini, Dimitra. Dumbarton Oaks Medieval Library, Harvard University Press, 2015.

Notes and References

1. [Ovid]
2. [Homer]
3. [John Tzetzes|Tzetzes]
4. [Eustathius of Thessalonica|Eustathius]
5. Tzetzes, Homeric Allegories Prologue 577
6. Eustathius ad Homer, Iliad p. 305.17; Scholia ad Euripides, Orestes 249 = Hesiod, Ehoiai fr. 176 (no. 46 in the Loeb edition, 1914)
7. [Pherecydes of Athens|Pherecydes]
8. [Diodorus Siculus]
9. Homer, Iliad 2.637; Apollodorus, 2.5.5. & 2.7.2
10. Apollodorus, Epitome 3.11