IPHICLUS OF PHYLACE (mortal king of Phylace)

His father, Phylacus, asked the prophet Melampus how his son could have children.⁷ Melampus scraped rust off a bloody knife that Phylacus had once stuck into a sacred oak tree, which the bark had grown over and hidden.⁷ Iphiclus drank this rust water for ten days to cure his infertility, an act that resulted in him fathering a son named Podarces.⁷ Iphiclus was also the father of Protesilaus.^8,9

Tensions arose when Melampus demanded Iphiclus's Thessalian cattle as a bride-price, leading to their theft.^10,11 Iphiclus's herdsmen captured and bound Melampus after he attempted to steal the cattle, and Iphiclus's house was on the verge of collapsing during the prophet's captivity.^11,5 Nestor also sought to possess Iphiclus's cattle.¹¹ Iphiclus requested prophecies from Melampus.¹¹

He was described as a good runner during the funeral games, where he participated in a running contest at Buprasium.¹² In that contest, Nestor defeated Iphiclus.¹²

Iphiclus besieged the city of Achaia in Ialysus, held by Phalanthus.¹³ He ambushed Larcas, a trusted follower of Phalanthus, while the man fetched water, and made a covenant with him to help him deceive Phalanthus.¹³ Iphiclus caught fish and placed them in Larcas's water container, instructing him to pour the water into Phalanthus's wine goblet.¹³ He released whitewashed crows, though some say his lover Dorcia performed this act.¹³ Iphiclus agreed to let Phalanthus and his troops leave under a treaty, preventing them from smuggling silver and gold in animal entrails by giving them boats without rudders, oars, or sails.¹³ He received a large amount of buried Phoenician riches left behind.¹³