CERCYON (king of Eleusis and wrestler)
Figure of myth · son of Branchus in Greek mythology
- Parents
- Branchus, Poseidon, Hephaestus, Alope, Argiope
- Children
- Alope
- Haunts and cult places
- Eleusis
- In the sources
- 14 ancient passages
Cercyon was a formidable wrestler who lived near Eleusis, a place sacred to Demeter.1,2,3 Accounts of his parentage differ, with some naming Branchus and the nymph Argiope as his parents, while others claim Poseidon was his father and his mother the daughter of Amphictyon.4,1
He forced travelers to wrestle with him and killed any opponent he defeated.1,2 During his journey to Athens, Theseus challenged Cercyon to a wrestling contest.1,2 Theseus lifted Cercyon high and threw him to the ground, slaying him in the area of Eleusis.3,5,1,2,6
Cercyon was also the father of Alope, whom he killed at the location of her tomb.7,5 A nearby area is named the Wrestling Ground of Cercyon, and the wrestling school associated with him was closed by a mighty man.8,5
The codex facts behind this entry
In the myths
Cercyon was slain by Theseus in the area of Eleusis. Ovid Met. 7.402-468 (3) +3 Cercyon forced travelers to wrestle with him and killed any opponent he defeated. Apollodorus, Epitome 1.3 +2
Fate
Theseus killed Cercyon by lifting him high and throwing him to the ground after a wrestling contest during his journey to Athens. Apollodorus, Epitome 1.3 +2
