LYNCEUS, SON OF AEGYPTUS (son of Aegyptus)
Figure of myth · son of Aegyptus in Greek mythology
- Parents
- Aegyptus, Argyphia
- Consorts
- Hypermnestra
- Children
- Abas
- In the sources
- 15 ancient passages
He was the son of Aegyptus and Argyphia, a woman of royal blood, and was the sole survivor among the fifty sons of Aegyptus.1,2 His lineage traced back to the Egyptian city of Khemmis, and local Egyptian claims positioned him as an ancestor of Perseus.3
Lynceus was selected as the husband for Hypermnestra, the eldest daughter of Danaus.1 Lynceus respected Hypermnestra's virginity, and Danaus later formally united them.1 The couple agreed to use a beacon as a safety signal.2
Danaus commanded his daughters to kill their husbands while they slept, urging his daughter to kill Lynceus to join her brothers in death.4 Hypermnestra administered a sedative drink to Lynceus, ensuring he slept peacefully.4 Though she attempted to kill him with a sword, she failed due to fear.4 Lynceus was the sole survivor among the fifty sons of Aegyptus.2
After escaping death, Lynceus reached the place of Lyrcea and raised a beacon to signal his safe escape.2 Danaus, who considered Lynceus a threat to his life, shut Hypermnestra up and kept her under ward for saving Lynceus.5,1 Danaus later brought Hypermnestra to justice because Lynceus remained free.5
Lynceus traveled from Egypt to Greece and held the throne of Argos following the reign of Danaus.3,6 He was later buried with Hypermnestra, and their son Abas went on to found the city of Abae.1,7,6,8,9 This family group extended to Heracles and Perseus.10
The codex facts behind this entry
Fate
Lynceus was spared by Hypermnestra and was later buried with her. Apollodorus 2.1.5 +1
