Leucippus (son of Perieres)

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File:07leucip.jpg
"The Rape of the Daughters of Leucippus" by Rubens.

In Greek mythology, Leucippus (Ancient Greek: Λεύκιππος Leukippos) was a Messenian prince. The Boeotian town of Leuctra is said to have derived its name from him.

File:WaltersOresteiaSarcoph.JPG
Roman sarcophagus with Castor and Pollux seizing the daughters of Leucippus, c. 160 CE.

Family

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Leucippus was the son of Gorgophone and Perieres, and brother of Aphareus, amongst others.

He was the father of three daughters, each borne by his wife Philodice, daughter of Inachus:[1] two Leucippides (Phoebe and Hilaera),[2] and Arsinoe, mother of Asclepius[3] and Eriopis begotten by the god Apollo.[4]

Mythology

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It is said that Leucippus together with his brother Aphareus inherited their father's kingdom upon his death, but the latter kept the greater authority than the former.[5]

Castor and Polydeuces abducted and married Leucippus' daughters, Phoebe and Hilaera.[6] In return, Idas and Lynceus, nephews of Leucippus and rival suitors, killed Castor. Polydeuces was granted immortality by Zeus, and further persuaded Zeus to share his gift with Castor.[7]

Notes

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  1. ^ Smith, Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology
  2. ^ Tzetzes ad Lycophron, 511.
  3. ^ Apollodorus, 3.10.3
  4. ^ Hesiod, Ehoiai fr. 63; Scholia on Pindar, Pythian Ode 3.14
  5. ^ Pausanias, 4.2.4–6
  6. ^ Propertius, Elegies 1.2
  7. ^ Apollodorus, 3.11.2

References

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