GREEK MYTHOSThe Godsunder Codex

LICYMNIUS (son of Electryon)

Figure of myth · son of Electryon in Greek mythology

Parents: Electryon, Mideia
Consorts: Perimede
Children: Oeonus, Melas, Argeus
In the sources: 18 ancient passages

Licymnius, son of Electryon and the Phrygian woman Midea, was a famous warrior in his younger years.^1,2,3,4 He was the brother of Alcmene, though some accounts call him her illegitimate brother.^5,6 He lived in Boeotia and later resided in Argos with his sons and Tlepolemus, son of Heracles.^7,8 Amphitryon gave his sister Perimede to Licymnius, and they had children including Oeonus, Melas, and Argeus.¹

Amphitryon took Licymnius to Thebes for purification.¹ During a dispute, Tlepolemus accidentally struck his uncle with a wild-olive-wood staff.^9,8,4 Another account says Licymnius was killed in Tiryns by the country's founder as he came out of a chamber in Midea.⁵ Heracles sent Licymnius to Delphi to ask Apollo how to cure his illness.¹⁰

Eurystheus ordered Ceÿx to banish the sons of Licymnius from Trachis.¹¹ The sons fled Trachis with the Heracleidae to avoid war, and the Athenians settled them in Tricorythus.¹¹ Oeonus was killed by the sons of Hippocoön, while Argius died during the attack on Oechalia.^12,13 The citadel of Licymna is named after Licymnius.¹⁴ His grave is located on the road to the gymnasium Cylarabis.²

The codex facts behind this entry

Licymnius was the son of Electryon. Apollodorus 2.4.6 +1