Archias, son of Anaxidotos (Ancient Greek: Ἀρχίας Ἀναξιδότου Πελλαῖος) was a quasi-mythological Corinthian citizen and founder (oekist) of the colony of Syracuse in Sicily.
Legend
Archias fell in love with the son of Melissus, named Actaeon (distinct from Actaeon, son of Aristaeus) – the most handsome and modest youth of his age in the city – and proceeded to court him. Finding that "no fair means or persuasion" prevailed upon the youth, Archias made plans to kidnap him. Under the guise of inviting himself to Melissus' house in order to take part in a feast, Archias and his accomplices laid hands on the boy and attempted to spirit him away. The family resisted, and in the ensuing tug of war Actaeon was torn apart.
Melissus demanded justice of the Corinthians, but was ignored by them. In return he climbed to the top of Poseidon's temple, invoked the god's wrath as vengeance for his son's murder and threw himself onto the rocks. A great drought and famine resulted, and the oracle, upon being consulted, announced that the death of Actaeon had to be avenged. Archias went into voluntary exile, and led a group of Corinthians into Sicily where they established the colony of Syracuse.
After establishing the town and fathering two daughters, Archias was "treacherously" slain by Telephus, whom he had taken advantage of when Telephus was still a boy.
Sources
Plutarch, Moralia "Five Tragical Histories of Love" II
February 24, 2023
archias, corinth, archias, anaxidotos, ancient, greek, Ἀρχίας, Ἀναξιδότου, Πελλαῖος, quasi, mythological, corinthian, citizen, founder, oekist, colony, syracuse, sicily, legend, editarchias, fell, love, with, melissus, named, actaeon, distinct, from, actaeon, . Archias son of Anaxidotos Ancient Greek Ἀrxias Ἀna3idotoy Pellaῖos was a quasi mythological Corinthian citizen and founder oekist of the colony of Syracuse in Sicily Legend EditArchias fell in love with the son of Melissus named Actaeon distinct from Actaeon son of Aristaeus the most handsome and modest youth of his age in the city and proceeded to court him Finding that no fair means or persuasion prevailed upon the youth Archias made plans to kidnap him Under the guise of inviting himself to Melissus house in order to take part in a feast Archias and his accomplices laid hands on the boy and attempted to spirit him away The family resisted and in the ensuing tug of war Actaeon was torn apart Melissus demanded justice of the Corinthians but was ignored by them In return he climbed to the top of Poseidon s temple invoked the god s wrath as vengeance for his son s murder and threw himself onto the rocks A great drought and famine resulted and the oracle upon being consulted announced that the death of Actaeon had to be avenged Archias went into voluntary exile and led a group of Corinthians into Sicily where they established the colony of Syracuse After establishing the town and fathering two daughters Archias was treacherously slain by Telephus whom he had taken advantage of when Telephus was still a boy Sources EditPlutarch Moralia Five Tragical Histories of Love II Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Archias of Corinth amp oldid 1030021946, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
