GREEK MYTHOSThe Godsunder Codex · Places
ARGOS (city in Argolis)
Ancient Greek city-state
- Kind of place
- City
- Region
- Argolis
- Landmarks
- Tomb of Temenus Pausanias 2.38.1
- People of myth here
- Acrisius, Adrastus, Aegisthus, Agamemnon, Amphiaraus, Amphitryon, Anaxagoras, Argus Panoptes, Bias, Capaneus, Ceisus, Clytemnestra, Danaid, Danaus, Diomedes, Electra, Euryalus, Eurystheus, Hippomedon, Hypermnestra, Idmon, Inachus, Licymnius, Lynceus, Lynceus, Mecisteus, Orestes, Parthenopeus, Perseus, Phoroneus, Polynices, Proetus, Sinon, Sthenelus son of Capaneus, Talaus, Temenus, Thyestes, Tlepolemus, Tydeus, Hera
- Where
- 37.63° N, 22.72° E
Argos was a city that achieved its peak power during the era of the heroes. Pausanias 7.17.1 The city was characterized as a land that bred horses. Pausanias 9.36.7 The hydra is described as a boast associated with Argos. Euripides, The Phoenician Maidens 1104-1152
Described in the sources
Orestes declares he is leaving Argos as a wanderer, estranged from the land. Aeschylus, Libation Bearers 1021-1050 +1 Acrisius was the king of Argos and is described as shutting the city's gates against an approaching deity. Ovid Met. 3.511-733 (2) +1 Polyneices fled to Argos while Oedipus was still alive and ruling, arriving there in exile to seek a place to rest. Euripides, The Phoenician Maidens 387-425 +1 A temple dedicated to Hera existed in Argos, where a festival was held and all maidens were required to attend for the sacrifice. Euripides, Electra 167-189 +1 Adrastus was the king of this city-state, where he resided, received an oracle from Loxias, and gave his daughters in marriage to Polyneices and Tydeus. Euripides, The Phoenician Maidens 387-425 +1 The citizens of Argos are feared by Orestes as potential pursuers seeking his death, and their vote is expected to support his enemies and catch him before he escapes. Euripides, Orestes 763-785 +1 A man named Mysius was from this city-state. Pausanias 7.27.9 Temenium is located within the territory of Argos. Pausanias 2.38.1 Amphilochus dwelt in Acarnania after leaving Argos. Strabo 10.2.26 The women of this city were driven mad by Dionysus. Apollodorus 1.9.12
Gods and worship
The Dorians in Argos worship the tomb of Temenus. Pausanias 2.38.1
Stories and history
Xerxes sent a herald to Argos with a message urging them to remain neutral, promising to hold them in high esteem if they complied, building on a friendship previously forged between them. Herodotus 7.150.2 +2 The Dorians took control of the city-state and expelled its inhabitants. Pausanias 7.1.7 +1 The Dorians assigned the territory of Argos to Temenus, who is identified as a founder of the city. Pausanias 4.3.3 +1 Argos provided selected troops and military reinforcements to support the Messenians in the battle at the Boar's Tomb. Pausanias 4.11.1 +1 Tisamenus, considered a descendant of Pelops in relation to the city's rule, was expelled from the city-state along with Lacedaemon. Pausanias 2.18.7 +1 The Heracleidae, identified as descendants of Perseus, asserted a just claim to the city and its throne, and the city was settled by colonists after their return. Pausanias 2.18.7 +1 The inhabitants of Argos requested Melampus to come from Pylos to cure their women, and he healed them from their madness and received a portion of the kingdom as payment. Apollodorus 1.9.12 +1 Oeneus was buried in Argos after his death. Pausanias 2.25.2 Troezen and Pittheus set out from Pisatis to Argos. Strabo 8.6.14 Alcmaeon fled from this city after killing his mother. Pausanias 8.24.8
Myths set at Argos
- Menelaus' Arrival and Confrontation with Orestes. Menelaus arrives in Argos after a long delay to rescue his daughter from intruders, only to find Orestes holding a sword to her. Menelaus must decide whether to defend his daughter or help his nephew, ultimately choosing to persuade the city to show moderation rather than using force. Euripides, Orestes 1554-1597 +5 Menelaus
- The Arrival at Argos. Agamemnon returns to Argos after a long absence, arriving in a chariot with a large retinue. He greets the local gods and his wife, intending to pay thanks for his safe return. Aeschylus, Agamemnon 488-537 +5 Agamemnon
- The Battle of Argos. Pyrrhus defeats the combined forces of Sparta, Argos, and Messenia, nearly capturing Sparta without further combat. He enters Argos victoriously but his formation becomes disorganized, and he is later buried in a sanctuary of Demeter where his preserved toe cures diseases. Pausanias 1.13.6 +5 Neoptolemus
- The Battle of Thebes. Chromis, a valiant warrior wielding a pinewood club and lion skin, fights in the Battle of Thebes alongside Dorylas and the Thespians. He is killed in combat, with accounts varying between being slain by Tydeus, a spear from Teumesia, or the iron Atropos. Aeneid 11.664 +5
- The Confrontation with Clytemnestra. Agamemnon is caught by his wife Clytemnestra while trying to hide his plan to sacrifice their daughter. He attempts to send her away to Argos to keep her ignorant of the sacrifice, but she discovers his deception. Euripides, Iphigenia in Aulis 1-114 +5 Agamemnon
- The Defense of the Heraclean Children. Iolaus begs Demophon to protect the children of Heracles from Eurystheus, who seeks their blood to eliminate future threats. Demophon refuses to surrender the suppliants, prepares for war, and ultimately grants the dying Macaria the honor she requested. Euripides, Heracleidae 111-133 +5
- The Division of the Peloponnese and the Water Lots. hook: The Heraclids return to the Peloponnese and must divide the land among themselves. goal: Temenus seeks to secure his share of the kingdom and the city of Argos. outcome: Temenus becomes king of Argos after a rigged water lot determines the assignments. Apollodorus 2.8.4 +5 Temenus
- The Dream of Orestes' Death. Iphigenia, living in exile, receives news that her brother Orestes is alive and ruling in Argos, which brings her joy. She then interprets a dream as a sign of his death and prepares a ritual to mourn him. Euripides, Iphigenia Among the Tauri 1153-1202 +5 Iphigenia
- The Exile from Calydon. Tydeus is forced to flee his native Calydon after killing a relative, arriving as an exile at the house of Adrastus in Argos. He later volunteers for a diplomatic mission to test his brother's loyalty, departing with a sword gifted by his father. Apollodorus 1.8.5 +5 Tydeus
- The Exile in Argos. hook: "Polyneices, unjustly driven from Thebes, arrives in Argos seeking refuge after a deity summoned him to his destiny." goal: "He seeks to restore his rightful place in his native land under the protection of King Adrastus." outcome: "Adrastus swears an oath to restore Polyneices to his country and gives him one of his daughters in marriage."} Apollodorus 3.6.1 +5 Polynices
- The Exile of Polyneices. hook: Polyneices leaves Thebes to honor an agreement with his brother and avoid his father's curse. goal: He seeks to live in voluntary exile for one year before returning to rule. outcome: Eteocles forces him into permanent exile, and Polyneices travels to Argos carrying his father's gifts. Apollodorus 3.6.1 +5 Polynices
- The Expulsion from the Peloponnese. Tisamenus, the son of Orestes, rules the Peloponnese until the Heraclids return. He is killed in battle by the army of Temenus and expelled from his lands by the Dorians. Apollodorus 2.8.2 +5 Tisamenus
28 more
- The Fate of Heracles. Heracles is destined to perform labor for Eurystheus in Argos to secure a place among the immortal gods. He must complete twelve toils to dwell with the immortals and obtain a promised star in the heavens. Argonautica 1 ¶122 +5 Heracles
- The Flight to Argos. Danaus, a soothsayer who had previously refused to live among the Argives, travels from Egypt to Argos to contest for the throne. He arrives by sea, settles in the city of Inachus, and transforms the dry region into a place with abundant water by identifying water springs. Aeschylus, Suppliant Maidens 1-39 +5 Danaus
- The Marriage of Andromeda and Perseus. Andromeda is destined to marry Perseus after he promises to save her from a monster, replacing her expected death with a favorable union. The couple celebrates their wedding with torches, music, and perfumed fires before heading to Argos. Apollodorus 2.4.3 +5 Andromeda
- The Meeting with Electra. hook: Orestes arrives in Argos disguised as a stranger to find his sister Electra and plan the murder of their mother. goal: He seeks to confirm Electra's identity and secure her cooperation as an accomplice in the planned vengeance. outcome: Orestes reveals his true identity to Electra, proving it with a lock of hair and a family spear, and they unite to confront their mother. Aeschylus, Libation Bearers 164-224 +5 Orestes
- The Quarrel with Dionysus. Hera confronts Zeus about his son Dionysus, expressing shame at his effeminate habits and accusing him of jealousy over Semele. The conflict ends with Hera agreeing to allow the people of Argos to honor Dionysus. Lucian, Dialogues of the Gods 16 ¶1 +5 Hera
- The Rescue of Andromeda. Perseus arrives in Ethiopia and sees Andromeda bound to a rock as a sacrifice to a sea monster. He defeats the creature to save her and marries her, leaving their son with King Cepheus before heading to Greece. Apollodorus 2.4.3 +5 Perseus
- The Return of Helen to Sparta. Menelaus returns from Troy with Helen, intending to punish her for causing the war and his friends' deaths. He plans to execute her in Argos or Hellas, though he allows her to speak and separates their travel at Hecuba's request. Euripides, The Trojan Women 1033-1059 +5 Menelaus
- The Seven Against Thebes. Adrastus, king of Argos, takes in two fugitive princes and promises to help them reclaim their throne in Thebes. He gathers an army of seven champions to march on Thebes, but only he survives the disastrous campaign. Apollodorus 1.8.5 +5 Adrastus
- The Seven Against Thebes. hook: Parthenopaeus, a young warrior from Argos, joins the army against Thebes to repay his adopted home. goal: He aims to sack the city of the Cadmeans and fight as one of the seven leaders. outcome: He is killed in battle by Periclymenus or Amphidicus, dying before the later Epigoni expedition. Aeneid 6.477 +5
- The Succession Crisis and Murder of Temenus. Temenus, claiming the throne of Argos through descent from Perseus, alienated his sons by favoring his daughter Hyrnetho and her husband Deiphontes. His sons murdered him in a succession crisis, leading to a dispute over the kingdom. Apollodorus 2.8.5 +5 Temenus
- The Trial of Helen in Argos. Helen, a captive Spartan woman in Argos, faces the wrath of Menelaus and the Greek army after being blamed for the Trojan War. She is dragged from her tent to face execution or a shameful death, despite her claims of divine compulsion and her defense of her actions. Euripides, Orestes 34-70 +5
- The Trial of Orestes in Argos. Orestes travels to Argos to face a trial for killing his mother, fearing the citizens will vote for his execution. The assembly debates his fate, with some calling for stoning and others for exile, but Orestes is ultimately driven out of the land. Euripides, Orestes 34-70 +5 Orestes
- The Aftermath and Return. Agamemnon expresses distress over his predicament while hoping to return home safely. He announces the army is preparing to sail after securing his fame. Euripides, Hecuba 1252-1292 +4 Agamemnon
- The Murder of Eriphyle. Alcmaeon learns his mother Eriphyle was bribed to wrong him, leading him to kill her. He is driven to madness by the Fury and flees Argos. Apollodorus 3.7.5 +4 Alcmaeon
- The War for the Throne of Argos. Acrisius and his brother Proetus fought a devastating war for the throne of Argos, a conflict that began in the womb and involved the invention of shields. The war ended either with Acrisius driving Proetus out or with a draw that led to their reconciliation and division of territory. Apollodorus 2.2.1 +4 Acrisius
- The accidental killing of Licymnius. Tlepolemus accidentally kills his uncle Licymnius while striking a servant, forcing him to flee Argos. He initially stays in Argos with Licymnius's family but eventually escapes across the sea to avoid threats from other descendants of Heracles. Apollodorus 2.8.2 +4 Tlepolemus
- Antigone's Plea to Polyneices. Antigone pleads with her blind father Oedipus to allow a stranger to speak to him, overcoming his initial resistance. She then begs her brother Polyneices to return to Argos to avoid a prophesied mutual death with his sibling. Sophocles, Oedipus at Colonus 1181-1210 +3 Antigone
- The Battle with the River Achelous. Heracles fights the river god Achelous to win the hand of Deianira. He defeats the god, takes Deianira to Argos, and later drains the land damaged by the river. Ovid Met. 9.1-100 (4) +3 Heracles
- The Death of Acrisius. Acrisius fled Argos to escape a prophecy that his grandson would kill him, but he was accidentally struck by a quoit during athletic games. Perseus, who had been driven away by his grandfather, buried him outside the city walls, fulfilling the feared fate. Apollodorus 2.4.4 +3 Acrisius
- The Exchange of Kingdoms. Perseus persuades Megapenthes to swap their kingdoms, exchanging Argos for Tiryns. He then founds and fortifies Mycenae and becomes the ruler of Tiryns. Apollodorus 2.4.4 +3 Perseus
- The Fate of Cassandra. Hecuba prepares for her daughter Cassandra's arrival, only to learn that the wedding torches signal a violent abduction rather than a joyous union. The episode ends with Cassandra being torn from her mother's arms to be taken as a captive to Argos. Euripides, The Trojan Women 239-277 +3 Hecuba
- The Flight of Theoclymenus. hook: Theoclymenus, fleeing kinsmen who want him dead for killing a relative, begs Telemachus for shelter on his ship. goal: He seeks safe passage away from his pursuers in Argos. outcome: Telemachus accepts him, instructs him to sit beside him, and receives his spear. Odyssey 15 ¶21 +3 Theoclymenus
- The Mediation Between Amphiaraus and Lycurgus. Adrastus, a leader of the Argives, intervenes to stop a fight between Amphiaraus and Lycurgus. He is also known for leading a military campaign against Thebes and receiving a divine horse. Pausanias 3.18.12 +3 Adrastus
- The Supplication of Adrastus and Aethra. Adrastus arrives in Athens as a suppliant to beg for the burial of his dead warriors, while Aethra prays to Demeter and urges Theseus to act. Theseus questions the failed expedition and the divine signs ignored, ultimately facing pressure to grant burial rights and protect the suppliants. Euripides, The Suppliants 1-41 +3 Theseus
- Battle of Argos. Dionysus launched a military campaign against the city of Argos, leading to a direct confrontation with the hero Perseus. The conflict ended with Dionysus's defeat, after which he ceased his hostility toward Perseus. Pausanias 2.20.4 +2 Dionysus
- The Battle for the Throne of Argos. Proetus and his brother Acrisius fought a destructive feud for the throne of Argos, which ended in a draw where they invented shields. Acrisius eventually defeated Proetus and expelled him from Argos. Apollodorus 2.2.1 +2 Proetus
- The Departure from Thebes and Settlement in Argolis. Heracles leaves Thebes to settle in Argolis after being taken away from Argos. He arrives in the city before Eurystheus learns of his return. Euripides, Heracleidae 975-1017 +2 Heracles
- The Exile and Death of Oeneus. hook: Oeneus is driven from his throne in Aetolia and seeks refuge with Diomedes in Argos. goal: Oeneus seeks safety and a place to live in exile. outcome: Oeneus dies in Argos and is buried there by Diomedes. Apollodorus 1.8.6 +2 Oeneus
And 22 more in the codex.