CYCHREUS (son of Poseidon in Greek mythology)
Figure of myth · son of Poseidon in Greek mythology
- Parents
- Poseidon, Salamis
- Children
- Chariclo, Glauce
- Haunts and cult places
- Salamis
- In the sources
- 10 ancient passages
Cychreus, son of Poseidon and Salamis, daughter of the river god Asopus, became king of the island he named after his mother.1,2,3,4 He was a Salaminian hero, a status confirmed by an oracle given to the Athenians.1,3,5
A great serpent once ravaged the island, and Cychreus slew the beast to claim the throne.4,1 The accounts differ regarding the serpent's origin and fate, but his victory secured his rule over the island.6,7,4,1
His lineage extended to the great heroes of old, as he was the grandfather of Peleus and Telamon.8 Through the marriages of his children, he became the father-in-law of Aeacus and the son-in-law of Sciron.8 Upon his death, he left the kingdom of Salamis to Telamon, though one source claims he died without children.4
Cychreus received divine honors in Athens and was remembered in a sanctuary on Salamis.5,3 An oracle given to the Athenians identified a serpent appearing in their fleet as Cychreus.5
The codex facts behind this entry
In the myths
Hesiod states that Cychreus raised a snake on the island of Salamis. Strabo 9.1.9 +1 Cychreus became king of Salamis after killing a huge snake that was ravaging the island. Apollodorus 3.12.7 +1
