MACAREUS (king of Lesbos)

He arrived in Lesbos as a fugitive, having fled after participating in the murder of his brother Tenages.³ The island's fertility and his own sense of justice allowed his power to increase significantly.¹ He gathered a mixed group of Ionians and other peoples to settle with him, founding cities in the region.^1,4,5

Macareus enacted legislation he named the Lion to reflect the animal's strength, aiming to benefit the general public welfare.⁶ His city contained significant wealth, and certain people claimed the islands were named after him because of his lineage.^7,6 He won neighboring islands and portioned out their uninhabited land for new settlements.¹

From his expanding realm, he dispatched colonies to Chios and Samos, sending his son Cydrolaüs to rule the latter.¹ He also sent Leucippus with colonists to settle Rhodes and appointed Neandrus as the king of Cos.¹ Some accounts state that his sons became the rulers of these islands, continuing his legacy.⁶

Macareus was the father of Amphissa, as well as daughters named Mytilene and Methymna, after whom cities were named.^8,1 He gave his daughter Methymna in marriage to Lesbos, son of Lapithes.¹ He survived the deluge that occurred during Deucalion's time.⁴ He rested on the shores near the Euboean city after his toils, and was present at Circe's temple for a period of one year.^9,10 In that setting, he recognized Achæmenides, astonished to find him alive after so long, and was joined in a union with the speaker.^9,11