AEGYPTUS (king of Egypt)
Figure of myth · son of Belus in Greek mythology
- Parents
- Belus, Aeria, Anchiroe
- Siblings
- Danaus
- Consorts
- Gorgo, Argyphia, Hephaestine, Tyria, Caliadne, Eurryroe, Isaea
- Children
- Hermos, Lynceus, Busiris, Antiochus, Dryas, Imbrus, Polyctor, Chthonius, Chrysippus, Sthenelus, Clitus, Idas and 67 more
- In the sources
- 15 ancient passages
Aegyptus, brother to Danaus, was the uncle who sent the sea god to abduct Amymone.1 His lineage, described as lustful and insatiate of battle, included children such as Hermos, Lynceus, Busiris, Antiochus, Dryas, Imbrus, Polyctor, and Chthonius.2 The codex lists his parents as Belus, Aeria, and Anchiroe, while his consorts and lovers included Gorgo, Argyphia, Hephaestine, Tyria, Caliadne, Eurryroe, and Isaea.
Aegyptus did not personally travel to Argos but dispatched his fifty sons there instead.3 These sons pursued the maidens with violent and lewd intent to force them into marriage.4,5 The daughters of Danaus fled to Argos to avoid this forced union, prompting the suppliants to request that the king not hand them over to Aegyptus's sons.6 The king considered protecting the maidens a dangerous war against Aegyptus's race, and the Argives agreed to fight in defense.6,2,7
He fled out of dread of Danaus, reportedly shuddering at the very name of Argos.8 Despite this, Danaus made amends to Aegyptus by gathering his people for a meeting.9
The sons of Aegyptus were murdered at Lerna, where their bodies remain, and their wives cut off their heads after the killings.10 A tomb for the heads of Aegyptus's sons stands near the road to the citadel, while his own tomb is located in one of two Serapis sanctuaries near the grove in Patrae.8,10 The maidens had prayed that the sons of Aegyptus would perish in a storm if they caught them, and a herald intended to inform the sons about the king's hostile speech.11,5
