PHLEGYAS (king of the Lapiths)

Phlegyas established a new city that he named after himself, located near the original city of Andreis.⁷ The people of Gyrton were named Phlegyae after him, and the country was renamed Phlegyantis in his honor.^6,5 He conducted raids in various directions to steal crops and livestock.⁸ Phlegyas traveled to the Peloponnesus to secretly assess the population and military strength.⁸

He and Labdacus kept the armed might of the realm, preparing to assault a tyrant with violence.⁹ Eteocles had died without children, which allowed Phlegyas to receive the throne initially.⁵ A spear that missed Eteocles after the gods intervened struck Phlegyas.^9,10 He fought against the agony of the blow and sank down.⁹ The impious ruler forbade his corpse from being burned with fire.⁹ His wife and kinsmen carried his body to his house.⁹ Phlegyas was killed by Nycteus and his brother Lycus.⁴ He died without leaving any sons to inherit his position, and Chryses took over the throne.¹¹

Phlegyas began an athletic contest where he checked which side of the quoit fit the middle of his arm better.¹² Compelled by shame and ancestry, he attempted to throw the heavy bronze disk, one of few who tried to match Hippomedon's strength.¹³ Unlucky fortune defeated him in the contest, and he was given a sword as a consolation prize.¹⁴

Phlegyas disapproved of his daughter's relationship with Ischys.³ In the underworld prison-house, Megaera holds Phlegyas fast to torment him.^15,16 He lies eternally pressed beneath cavernous rocks.¹⁶ Megaera tortures him with an unholy feast, yet his mingled loathing defeats his hunger.¹⁶ Through the darkness, he lifts his voice in warning, calling loudly for others to learn justice and fear God.¹⁵