NELEUS (mythical son of Poseidon or Cretheus and father of Nestor)

Neleus fought for the kingship against his brother Pelias and was driven from Iolcos by him.^6,8 He subsequently settled in Messene, where he founded the city of Pylus and established his palace.^9,1,10,8,11 With the help of the Pelasgians of Iolcos, he drove Pylos the son of Cleson out of the promontory of Coryphasium.¹¹ The city of Pylus came to be known as belonging to Neleus, a place of great renown.^12,8,11 He also established the city of Miletus, extending his influence beyond the Peloponnesus.^13,14

Neleus married Chloris, the daughter of Amphion, securing her hand with valuable gifts.^10,15,16 Their union produced numerous children, including their oldest son Periclymenus, their youngest son Nestor, and their daughter Pero.^6,16,10 Other sons of Neleus included Chromius, Taurus, Asterius, Pylaon, Deimachus, Eurybius, Epilaus, Phrasius, Eurymenes, Evagoras, and Antilochus.^16,10,17,18 Pero, who had many suitors, was the object of a difficult challenge set by her father.^19,20 Neleus required suitors to bring him the cattle of Phylacus, or in some accounts, the oxen of Iphicles, as a bride gift.^19,20,16

The king’s wealth included cattle kept in a cave inside the town, though most grazed across the border.^21,22 Neleus took great value in return for these horses, though Augeas detained him at one point.^23,24 His relationship with Melampus turned hostile when Neleus kept him as a close prisoner in the house of Phylacus.² He drove Melampus into exile from Pylos and seized his goods, holding them for a whole year.² Eventually, his daughter was given to Melampus’s brother after the exile avenged himself.²

Neleus consulted his sons regarding whether to perform the purification rite for Heracles, but refused due to his friendship with Eurytus.^9,25 This refusal led to disaster when Heracles destroyed Pylus and killed all the young men.^10,12 Heracles killed eleven of Neleus’s noble sons, leaving only Nestor alive, who had escaped by staying with the Gerenians.^{26,27,10,23,28,12} During the conflict, the Epeii considered Neleus old and destitute.¹² Neleus was killed during the capture of Pylus, though some accounts say he died of illness in Corinth.^26,3,29 Before his death, he used to sit on the marble benches, and he served Zeus with all his might.^3,5