CLYMENUS (mythical king of Orchomenos)
Figure of myth · mythical king of Orchomenos
- Parents
- Presbon, Orchomenus
- Consorts
- Bouzyge
- Children
- Erginus, Azeus, Arrhon, Axia, Stratius, Pyleus
- In the sources
- 10 ancient passages
Accounts differ on his paternal origins, with some naming Presbon, son of Phrixus, while others point to the mythical Orchomenus. [f: 3, 5]1,2 He was also listed as a brother to Aspledon and Amphidocus. [f: 11]1
He inherited the kingdom after Almus died without children. [f: 16]2 However, his rule ended when Endymion deposed him from his position. [f: 15]3 He founded the sanctuary of Athena Cydonian on a hill. [f: 12]4
Within the sacred precinct, a charioteer named Perieres wounded Clymenus with a thrown stone. [f: 14, 23]5 Transported to Orchomenus while dying from this injury, he commanded his son Erginus to seek vengeance on his deathbed.5 Erginus received the kingdom after his father was killed. [f: 19]2 Stratius, Arrhon, and Pyleus were also sons of Clymenus, and the Thebans were required to pay annual tribute for the murder.2,6
He held the Olympic games and established an altar for his ancestor Heracles, whom he honored with the surname Parastates, meaning Assistant. [f: 20, 21]3
The codex facts behind this entry
Fate
Clymenus was murdered by men from Thebes during a feast of Onchestian Poseidon. Pausanias 9.37.1 +1
