CREON OF CORINTH (king of Corinth)
Figure of myth · king of Corinth in Greek mythology
Creon of Corinth, son of Lycaethus and husband to Merope, ruled the city as its king.1,2,3,4,5 A mighty figure, he exercised unbridled power to alter the marital status of those in his domain.6,7 Distrustful and suspicious by nature, he believed that cunning people are harder to guard against when they are quiet.8 He preferred to incur Medea's hatred now rather than soften his heart and bitterly repent it later, valuing his own family more than she.5,9
When Jason arrived in Corinth exiled and fearful, Creon granted him refuge and made him a citizen of the city.10,1 The king arranged for his daughter Glauce to be betrothed to Jason, a union that caused Medea to feel betrayed.3,11,6,2 Creon dissolved the marriage bond between Medea and Jason, separating the children from their mother and rendering the marriage oath invalid.7 He ordered Medea to be exiled immediately, granting her permission to stay for one single day to plan her departure.11,12,13
The king warned that Medea and her children would die if found in his land after one day, threatening to have her forcibly removed by his servants.9,14,15 Creon expressed distrust of Medea's intentions despite her soft words, believing she was devising mischief against him.8 He described Medea as a witch skilled in many sorceries, claiming she threatened the father of the bride and the bride herself.5 Initially forbidding Medea from questioning his decree, Creon later allowed her to plead her case, though he stated the decree was final.15
Medea sought shelter in Creon's royal clemency, asking for a small part of his kingdom to hide her grief.16 Creon accused Medea of being the sole architect of a crime involving murder, claiming she used both feminine wit and masculine strength to commit it.10 In the account of Seneca, he viewed Medea's presence as a pestilence and commanded her to flee, ordering her to take her poisons with her.15,10 Creon promised to act as a father to Medea's children after her departure, yet he also sought to have her killed out of vengeful anger.14,17
Jason persuaded Creon to allow Medea to flee instead of dying, though the king threatened Jason with immediate death.17,18 Creon died by being consumed in fierce fire while trying to save his daughter Glauce.3,11 His wrath was described as deadly and dangerous to provoke, a legacy that endured even after his demise.17
The codex facts behind this entry
Creon was the king of Corinth. Apollodorus 1.9.28 +4 Creon is identified as the father of Glauce, the woman Jason wished to marry. Diodorus 4.54 +1
In the myths
Creon orders Medea to be exiled from Corinth immediately with her children, granting her permission to stay for one single day to plan her departure. Diodorus 4.54 +10 Creon arranged for his daughter Glauce to be betrothed to Jason. Apollodorus 1.9.28 +4 Creon warns that Medea and her children will die if found in his land after one day and threatens to have Medea forcibly removed by his servants if she does not leave. Euripides, Medea 324-356 +1
Fate
Creon died by being consumed in fierce fire while trying to save his daughter Glauce. Apollodorus 1.9.28 +1
