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GREEK MYTHOSThe Godsunder Codex

ERGINUS (mythical king of the Minyans)

Figure of myth · mythical king of the Minyans

Erginus, mythical king of the Minyans, full-length portrait
Parents
Clymenus
Siblings
Azeus, Arrhon, Stratius, Pyleus
Children
Trophonius, Agamedes
In the sources
12 ancient passages

Erginus, son of Clymenus the king of the Minyans, ruled the Orchomenians and the Minyans from his seat at Orchomenus.1,2,3,4 He is described as a wanderer of the waves.5 His younger brothers were Stratius, Arrhon, Pyleus, and Azeus.4 He inherited the kingdom after his father was wounded and died, receiving a command to avenge his death.1,4

Erginus marched against Thebes with troops and slaughtered many of its inhabitants.1,3 The Thebans became subject to his rule, paying him a yearly tribute for twenty years under a treaty.3,6,1 Heracles defeated Erginus in battle, after which the king made peace with him.2,7 Erginus marched against Thebes again after his agents were mutilated and expelled from Thebes by Heracles.1,3

After the defeat, he focused entirely on restoring his wealth and prosperity.7 He reached old age without having a wife or children.7 After accumulating riches, he developed a strong desire to have children.7 He traveled to Delphi to ask the oracle about having children.8 He took a young wife after receiving the oracle's advice.8

Erginus was the father of Trophonius and Agamedes, though the author and oracle visitors did not consider Trophonius a son of Erginus.9,10 Heracles killed Erginus in battle with a lance.1,3,5

The codex facts behind this entry

Erginus was the king of the Orchomenians and the Minyans. Diodorus 4.10 +2

In the myths

Erginus inherited the kingdom after his father Clymenus was wounded and died, commanding him to avenge his death. Apollodorus 2.4.11 +1 Erginus marched against Thebes with troops and slaughtered many of its inhabitants. Apollodorus 2.4.11 +1 Erginus was defeated in battle by Heracles, after which he made peace with him. Pausanias 9.17.2 +1 Erginus marched against Thebes again after his agents were mutilated and expelled from Thebes by Heracles. Apollodorus 2.4.11 +1

Fate

Heracles killed Erginus in battle. Apollodorus 2.4.11 +2

Sources

  1. Apollodorus 2.4.11
  2. Pausanias 9.17.2
  3. Diodorus 4.10
  4. Pausanias 9.37.1
  5. Statius, Thebaid 9.292-320 ΒΆ1
  6. Strabo 9.2.40
  7. Pausanias 9.37.3
  8. Pausanias 9.37.4
  9. Hymn III to Delian Apollo ll. 294-299
  10. Pausanias 9.37.5
Written from the Mythos Codex, and every sentence checked against the facts it cites. From the Mythos Codex: 21 facts, each checked against the ancient passage it comes from, here drawn from Apollodorus, Diodorus of Sicily, Pausanias. Updated 31 October 2026.

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