Messapus of Sicyon

Messapus (Ancient Greek: Μέσσαπος Messapos) was the ninth king of Sicyon in the Peloponnesus according to classical Greek mythography.

Mythology

Writers quoting Castor of Rhodes stated that he reigned over Sicyon for 47 years following Leucippus, and before Eratus. However, Pausanias omitted this king Messapus, alleging that the throne passed directly from Leucippus, who had no male heir, to his grandson Peratus.

According to Strabo, Messapio in Boeotia and later Messapia in southeastern Italy, derived their names from this Messapus.

St. Augustine writing in The City of God mentions Messapus of Sicyon, asserting that some historians had identified him with Cephissus.

References

• Pausanias, Description of Greece with an English Translation by W.H.S. Jones, Litt.D., and H.A. Ormerod, M.A., in 4 Volumes. Cambridge, MA, Harvard University Press; London, William Heinemann Ltd. 1918. . Online version at the Perseus Digital Library
• Pausanias, Graeciae Descriptio. 3 vols. Leipzig, Teubner. 1903. Greek text available at the Perseus Digital Library.
• Strabo, The Geography of Strabo. Edition by H.L. Jones. Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard University Press; London: William Heinemann, Ltd. 1924. Online version at the Perseus Digital Library.
• Strabo, Geographica edited by A. Meineke. Leipzig: Teubner. 1877. Greek text available at the Perseus Digital Library.