1 Founding of Mycenae
There are various theories about the origin of the name Mycenae, but the most plausible is that it comes from Mycene, the daughter of Inachus. [1]
Mycenae was located at a strategic point on the first road established on the Peloponnesus peninsula, connecting Aegialus (later Sicyon) and Phoroneus (later Argos). Mycenae seems to have been founded around the same time as the two towns. [2]
Recent archaeological research suggests that Mycenae had contact with Crete even before Perseus, son of Danae, settled there in 1330 BC.
This interaction seems to have started with the migration of Cres, son of Telchin, who came from Aegialus to Crete around 1690 BC. [3]
Mycene, the daughter of Inachus, was the aunt of Telchin, the son of Aezeius (or Aegialeus), the son of Inachus. [4]
No mention of Mycenae before Perseus can be found in ancient sources.
2 Age of Perseus (1330-1304 BC)
2.1 Childhood
In 1360 BC, Perseus was born in Chemmis in NileDelta of Egypt, the son of Danae, daughter of Acrisius, king of Argos. [5]
In 1344 BC, Acrisius summoned Perseus to Argos to become his heir. [6]
In 1343 BC, Perseus killed Acrisius' brother Proetus and exiled himself to the island of Seriphus, where he was sheltered by Dictys and his wife Clymene. [7]
2.2 Marriage
In 1335 BC, Perseus went to Cepheus, son of Belus, who lived in the land of the Ethiopians, and married his daughter Andromeda. [8]
Andromeda's birthplace, Ethiopia, was not Ethiopia in the south of Egypt, but the land near the mouth of the Aesepus River in the northwestern Anatolia Peninsula. [9]
Ethiopia lies on the plains of Adrasteia, and at the time Perseus married Andromeda, it was the domain of Tantalus, the father of Pelops. [10]
Perseus' sons and Pelops' daughters were married not only because Perseus had high hopes for Pelops' wealth, but also because Perseus and Tantalus, Pelops' father, were acquainted.
Also, Danae, the mother of Perseus, and Evarete, the mother of Pelops' wife Hippodamia, were sisters, and the sons of Perseus and the daughters of Pelops were also cousins. [11]
2.3 Founding of Mycenae
When Acrisius, son of Abas, died, Megapenthes, son of Proetus, who lived in Tiryns, took Argos. [12]
In 1332 BC, Perseus returned to Peloponnesus and occupied Tiryns with the Achaeans who had been driven out of Argos. [13]
The 2nd century AD writer Apollodoros tells us that Perseus traded cities with Megapenthes, with Perseus living in Tiryns and Megapenthes living in Argos. [14]
However, this happened as a result, and it was not an intentional exchange.
In 1330 BC, Perseus founded Mycenae and surrounded it with strong walls. [15]
Nearly 40 years earlier, when Acrisius and Proetus reconciled and decided on each other's territories, the name Mycenae did not appear. [16]
It is likely that the name of the town remained, but there were hardly any people living there.
2.4 Sons of Perseus
2.4.1 Perses, son of Perseus
Perses was born in Ethiopia and left there to succeed Cepheus, father of Andromeda, mother of Perses. [17]
Cissia (or Eos, Dawn, Aurora), granddaughter of Perses, married Tithonus, son of Laomedon of Troy, and bore Memnon. [18]
During the Trojan War, Memnon fought on the side of Troy and was killed by Achilles. [19]
2.4.2 Alcaeus, son of Perseus
Alcaeus married Hipponome, daughter of Menoeceus of Thebes, and had a son, Amphitryon, who later became the father of Heracles. [20]
After Perseus founded Mycenae, Alcaeus inherited Tiryns.
Alcaeus appears to have died at an early age, as his other brothers do not appear in historical sources.
2.4.3 Electryon, son of Perseus
Electryon lived in Mideia, married Pelops' daughter Lysidice (or Eurydice), and had Alcmena, who later became the mother of Heracles. [21]
Electryon had been married to the Phrygian Mideia before his marriage to Lysidice. [22]
Electryon had many sons, but it is said that they died in battle with the Taphians, which is a very unbelievable story. [23]
The only survivors of Electryon's family were his youngest son Licymnius and his daughter Alcmena. [24]
2.4.4 Sthenelus, son of Perseus
Sthenelus inherited Mycenae from his father. [25]
2.4.5 Cynurus, son of Perseus
In 1300 BC, Cynurus moved to the border with Laconia and founded Cynuria in search of a new world. [26]
Cynuria became a land of dispute between Sparta and Argos in the 9th century BC. [27]
2.4.6 Mestor, son of Perseus
Mestor married Pelops' daughter Lysidice, and they had a daughter, Hippothoe. [28]
2.4.7 Helius (or Heleus), son of Perseus
In 1290 BC, Helius founded Helos on the coast of the Gulf of Laconia. [29]
Helius married Hippothoe, the daughter of his brother Mestor, and they had a son, Taphius. [30]
According to legend, Poseidon took Mestor's daughter Hippothoe to the Echinadian Islands, where Taphius was born.
In 1277 BC, Helius and his brothers went on an expedition to northwest Greece and settled there. [31]
In other words, it is assumed that Taphius' father Poseidon was Helius, the son of Perseus. [32]
2.5 Daughters of Perseus
2.5.1 Gorgophone, daughter of Perseus
In 1307 BC, Gorgophone married Perieres, son of Aeolus, of Andania in Messenia. [33]
Andania was founded by Polycaon, son of Lelex, the Lacedaemonian, among the Achaeans who migrated from Argos five generations ago. [34]
Perseus's inhabitants were also descendants of the Achaeans who lived in Argos.
The marriage between Perieres and Gorgophone appears to have been established because the residents of both towns were of the same tribe.
2.5.2 Autochthe, daughter of Perseus
The 12th century AD rhetorician Tzetzes writes of Autocthe, who became the wife of Aegeus, king of Athens, and bore him daughters. [35]
Some scholars say that Autocthe is the daughter of Perseus, but Tzetzes himself does not specify Autocthe's father. [36]
However, the Scholar seems to have been referring to historical sources that say Autochthe was the daughter of Perseus, and it seems certain that Perseus had a daughter named Autochthe.
Perseus' daughter Autochthe seems to have been Pelops' wife for the reasons described in "The Mother of Atreus" below.
2.6 Perseus's last moment
In 1310 BC, Perseus was killed by Megapenthes, son of Proetus of Argos. [37]
This was Megapenthes' revenge for Perseus killing Proetus.
After this event, Argos and Mycenae became isolated.
Mycenae does not appear in Argives' attack on Thebes, and Argos does not appear in Eurystheus' attack on Heracleidae.
Abae of Phocis, a colony of Argos, was also involved in the conflict.
Megapenthes slew Lynceus of Abae, and Abas, son of Lynceus, slew Megapenthes. [38]
3 Age of Sthenelus (1310-1262 BC)
3.1 Marriage
Perseus was succeeded by his son Sthenelus.
The wives of Sthenelus were, besides Nicippe (or Archippe), daughter of Pelops, Antibia, daughter of Amphidamas. [39]
Amphidamas, whose age corresponds to the father of Sthenelus' wife, is the son of Aleus of Arcadia. [40]
Nausidame, the daughter of Amphidamas, was the mother of Augeas of Elis, and seems to be connected with the cause of the battle against which Heracles later fights. [41]
Sthenelus' son Eurystheus and Sthenelus' nephew Heracles were the same age, and it is assumed that Eurystheus' mother was Sthenelus' second wife Nicippe.
3.2 Alcyone, daughter of Sthenelus
The 1st century AD historian Dionysius of Halicarnassus tells us that Alcyone of Argos was in her 26th year as a priestess, three generations before the Trojan War. [42]
Chronologically, this Alcyone seems to have been the daughter of Sthenelus and the half-sister of Eurystheus. Eurystheus' daughter Admete was also a priestess of Hera in Argos. [43]
3.3 Amphitryon's Expedition
In 1277 BC, the brothers of Sthenelus, Electryon and Helius, together with their nephew Amphitryon, led an expedition into northwestern Greece. [44]
In this expedition Electryon and his sons of Mideia died, leaving behind his youngest son Licymnius and his daughter Alcmena. [45]
Amphitryon summoned his cousins Licymnius and Alcmena to Thebes, and Amphitryon took Alcmena as his wife. [46]
Sthenelus leaves Mideia in charge of Atreus and Thyestes, now that Electryon is gone. [47]
3.4 Astymedusa (or Medusa), daughter of Sthenelus
The 5th century BC mythologist Pherecydes tells us that the third wife of Oedipus of Thebes was Astymedusa, daughter of Sthenelus. [48]
If this Sthenelus is Sthenelus, the son of Capaneus of Argos, then the age difference between his daughter and Oedipus would be 100 years, which is not reasonable.
If Astymedusa is the daughter of Sthenelus, son of Perseus, then she is of about the right age to be the wife of Oedipus.
Oedipus may have been acquainted with Astymedusa of Mycenae while living in Tenea, Corinth. [49]
Mycenae was located about 13 km southwest of Tenea.
The third marriage of Oedipus, who was estimated to be 60 years old in 1234 BC, aroused intense hatred in Creon of Thebes.
Creon hated the descendants of Perseus because his daughter Megara was divorced by Heracles. [50]
The marriage of Oedipus and Astymedusa resulted in strife between his sons, Eteocles and Polyneices. [51]
4 Age of Eurystheus (1262-1217 BC)
In 1262 BC, Sthenelus was succeeded by his son Eurystheus. [52]
4.1 Birth of Eurystheus
Eurystheus reportedly became king of Mycenae because he was born slightly before Heracles. [53]
However, even though Heracles was born earlier than Eurystheus, he never became king of Mycenae; Heracles was a lord of Tiryns, inherited from his grandfather Alcaeus to his father Amphitryon.
4.2 Argos internal conflicts
In 1270 BC, Hyettus of Argos murdered Molurus, the son of Arisbas. Hyettus migrated to Boeotia and founded Hyettus on the north side of Lake Copais. [54]
This incident probably sparked internal conflict at Argos.
First, Mantius, son of Melampus, was driven out of the city. [55]
Mantius then returned to Argos and drove out of the city Abas, son of Melampus, who had driven them out, and the descendants of Bias, who had sided with him. [56]
This infighting caused members of Amythaon's family to leave Argos, including Melampus himself.
Since Mantius' son Oecles participated in Heracles' attack on Elis, it is assumed that Eurystheus cooperated in Mantius' return.
Mycenae and Argos were in conflict, but Mantius was not a descendant of Megapenthes, son of Proetus, who was the cause of the conflict.
4.3 Founding of Cleonae
In 1251 BC, Atreus left Mideia and founded Cleonae. [57]
Cleonae was about 11 km north of Mycenae, Mycenae was about 12 km northwest of Mideia, and Tiryns was about 7 km south-southwest of Mideia.
In the time of Perseus, in addition to Tiryns and Mideia, he founded Mycenae in the north, and Atreus founded Cleonae further north.
Cleonae was founded at the time when Heracles migrated from Thebes to Tiryns, and it is assumed as follows. [58]
Eurystheus, who had inherited Mycenae from his father, brought Heracles and Licymnius, who lived in Thebes, closer to him as trusted relatives.
Heracles, son of Amphitryon, son of Alcaeus, brother of Sthenelus, father of Eurystheus, lived in Tiryns, the former province of his father. [59]
Licymnius, son of Electryon, brother of Sthenelus, father of Eurystheus, appears to have lived in his father's old province of Mideia.
Therefore, it is assumed that Atreus, who had been living in Mideia, left the town and founded Cleonae. Thyestes, who was entrusted with Midea along with Atreus, seems to have left Midea earlier. [60]
When Mycenae was conquered by Argos in 468 BC, some of its inhabitants fled to Cleonae. [61]
4.4 Elis attack
Eurystheus is said to have given Heracles twelve labors. [62]
Augeas of Elis appears as the fifth labor. [63]
This seems to be a creation that came about when Heracles attacked Elis and fought against Augeas. [64]
It is assumed that the cause of the battle was not because Augeas did not pay the promised reward to Heracles, but because of the following. [65]
Augeas' mother was Nausidame, daughter of Amphidamas of Arcadia, and Nausidame's sister Antibia was Eurystheus' stepmother, and Augeas and Eurystheus were step-cousins through each other's wives. [66]
By marriage, Elis and Mycenae were on good terms before the birth of Eurystheus, but when Eurystheus' father Sthenelus marries Pelops' daughter Nicippe (or Archippe) for the second time, their relationship deteriorates. The relationship cooled down. [67]
After Pelops's death, Elis took control of Olympia in Pisa's place and began to exert influence over Pisa, including holding competitions. Eurystheus is presumed to have sent Heracles to attack Elis at the request of Pisa. [68]
The name of the person who ruled Pisa at the time is unknown, but it is likely that he was Eurystheus's maternal uncle or cousin.
And that person was also Heracles' maternal grandmother's brother.
4.5 Acceptance of Dryopians
In 1230 BC, when Phylas of the Dryopes near Delphi disrespected the temple of Delphi, Heracles attacked the Dryopians and expelled them from the land. [69]
Some of the Dryopians fled to Peloponnesus and, with help from Eurystheus, founded three towns in Argolis named Asine, Hermione, and Eion. [70]
Eurystheus is said to have aided the Dryopians because of his enmity with Heracles, and it seems that their rivalry was already well known at this time. [71]
Around this time, the sons of Eurystheus also came of age, evidence of Mycenae's control over the southeast coast of Argolis.
4.6 Eurystheus' Ally
When Eurystheus inherited Mycenae from his father in 1262 BC, there were only two close relatives of Eurystheus, who had not yet reached adulthood.
They were Thyestes and Atreus, sons of Autochthe, sister of Sthenelus, father of Eurystheus, and lived in Mideia. [72]
They and Eurystheus were cousins, having Perseus as their common grandfather, but they were older than Eurystheus by over 15 years.
4.7 Changes in Eurystheus' feelings towards Heracles
Heracles was the same age as Eurystheus and was the son of Eurystheus' cousin Amphitryon. [73]
Amphitryon was a warrior who distinguished himself in battles against the Teleboans and Chalcodon, and Heracles distinguished himself against the Minyans Erginus. [74]
Heracles moved from Thebes to Tiryns after losing his children with Creon's daughter Megara. [75]
When Heracles attacked the sons of Actor and Elis demanded that the culprit be punished, Eurystheus did not punish Heracles, but sent him out of town. [76]
For Eurystheus, Heracles was a trusted relative and a powerful ally.
However, when Heracles conquered Elis and Pylus and held a competition at Olympia, Eurystheus' jealousy towards Heracles turned into hostility. [77]
Until then, competitions at Olympia were held by the champions of that era. [78]
4.8 Eurystheus' obsession with the Heracles family
The strong will of Eurystheus was responsible for the relocation of the Heracles family after Heracles left Tiryns.
4.8.1 Relocation from Pheneus to Calydon
Lycurgus, king of Arcadia, is presumed to have lost his son Cepheus and many of his grandsons in a battle with Hippocoon, forcing Heracles to leave Pheneus. [79]
Lycurgus was the grandfather of Antimache, the wife of Eurystheus. [80]
4.8.2 Relocation from Calydon to Trachis
It is assumed that Eurystheus put pressure on Oeneus of Calydon through Amphiaraus, son of Oecles, son of Mantius, who assisted him in returning to Argos. [81]
The Mantius family lived in Calydon for over twenty years, and Amphiaraus was born in that town. [82]
4.8.3 Relocation from Trachis to Athens
After Heracles' death, Eurystheus threatened Ceyx of Trachis with force if he did not drive out the Heracles family. [83]
4.9 Eurystheus's last moment
In 1217 BC, Eurystheus invaded Athens, where Heracles' sons lived, but was defeated by Heracles' nephew Iolaus. [84]
In 1215 BC, the Heracleidae marched into Peloponnesus and occupied Midea and Tiryns. [85]
The following year, the Heracleidae withdrew from Peloponnesus to the town of Attica, leaving Heracles' son Tlepolemus behind. [86]
In 1213 BC, Tlepolemus organized a group of immigrants and moved to Rhodes. [87]
Tlepolemus' immigrant band of Tirynthians included the surviving family of Eurystheus. [88]
4.9.1 Lebes and Rhacius
In 1213 BC, the Lebes migrated to Crete.
In 1200 BC, Rhacius, son of Lebes, traveled from Crete to Asia Minor and founded Colophon. [89]
Rhacius wept when he heard from Tiresias' daughter Manto about the fall of Thebes to the Epigoni. From this it is assumed that Lebes was the son of Iphitus, son of Sthenelus. [90]
In 1234 BC, Iphitus' sister Astymedusa was married to Oedipus of Thebes. [91]
4.9.2 Admete, daughter of Eurystheus
Plutarch tells us that Eurystheus' daughter Admete, a priestess of the Temple of Hera in Argos, fled to Samos. [92]
Samos sailed from Crete and was just short of reaching Colophon, and Admete is presumed to have been among the group who, along with Rhacius, were looking for a place for her to migrate.
5 Mycenae after the death of Eurystheus
5.1 Confusing lore
There is a lot of confusion about the Pelopidae, the successors of Eurystheus.
Among them, the one that seems to be closest to historical fact is reported by Tzetzes, a rhetorician of the 12th century AD. [93]
The outline is as follows.
After Eurystheus' death, Thyestes succeeded him, but he was exiled by Atreus.
Aegisthus, son of Thyestes, killed Atreus and reinstated Thyestes.
Agamemnon and Menelaus were sent to Polypheides at Sicyon.
Agamemnon and Menelaus were sent to Oeneas in Aetolia.
Agamemnon and Menelaus were sent to Tyndareus in Sparta.
Agamemnon and Menelaus made Thyestes live in Cythereia.
5.2 Verification of this tradition
5.2.1 Reign period of Atreus and Thyestes
Eurystheus died in 1217 BC.
Troy is said to have fallen in the 18th year of Agamemnon's reign, and his accession to the throne as king of Mycenae is estimated to have occurred in 1203 BC. [94]
Thus, the reign of Atreus and Thyestes was 14 years, from 1217 BC to 1203 BC.
5.2.2 Atreus' reign
Atreus was 73 years old, Thyestes 75 years old, and Agamemnon 15 years old when Eurystheus died.
Considering Thyestes' advanced age and Agamemnon's marriageable age, Atreus' reign is estimated to be two years.
5.3 Location of Aegisthus
Homer tells us that Agamemnon, on his return from Troy, encountered a storm at Cape Malea, on the right-hand peninsula of the Gulf of Laconia, and that long ago Thyestes reached the land where Aegisthus now resides. [95]
Andron of Halicarnassus assumed that Aegisthus lived on the island of Cythera. [96]
From the above, Thyestes and his son Aegisthus had been forced by Agamemnon to live on the island of Cythera.
Aegisthus returned to Mycenae from the island during Agamemnon's expedition to Troy and took control of the city.
6 Age of Atreus (1217-1215 BC)
After Eurystheus' death, the older Thyestes succeeded him, but was ousted by the more powerful Atreus. [97]
6.1 Mother of Atreus
It is assumed that Atreus' mother was not Hippodamia, but Autochthe, daughter of Perseus. [98]
The basis for this estimation is as follows.
6.1.1 Pelops had 17 known sons, but Hippodamia reportedly had 6 sons [99]
Creating a genealogy, Atreus was born more than 20 years after Pelops and Hippodamia were married. There are also historical sources that say that Atreus was a firstborn, suggesting that Atreus was not born to Hippodamia but to a much younger wife. [100]
6.1.2 Sthenelus entrusting Mideia to Atreus and Thyestes [101]
If Atreus' mother is Hippodamia, they are the brothers of Sthenelus' wife.
If Atreus' mother is Autochthe, they are the nephews of Sthenelus.
It is understandable that Sthenelus entrusted Mideia to his immediate family, Atreus and Thyestes.
6.1.3 Atreus succeeded Mycenae after the death of Eurystheus [102]
Thucydides tells us that Atreus took refuge with Eurystheus after he killed his half-brother Chrysippus. Furthermore, he is told that Eurystheus entrusted Mycenae to Atreus when he went to war against the sons of Heracles. [103]
However, Atreus was over 70 years old when Eurystheus died, and Chrysippus had long since died.
At that time, there were cases where a ruler's son-in-law took over after his death, but there were no cases where the brother of the ruler's mother took over.
If Atreus is the son of Autochthe, the daughter of Perseus, the father of Sthenelus, the father of Eurystheus, then Atreus would be Eurystheus' cousin and legitimate heir.
6.2 Plisthenes, son of Atreus
In 1233 BC, Plisthenes, son of Atreus, who lived in Cleonae, married Aerope (or Eriphyle), daughter of Catreus, son of Minos of Crete. [104]
At that time, Phlius, about 10 km from Cleonae, was ruled by Phliasus.
Phliasus was the son of Ariadne, daughter of Minos, and Aerope was his cousin. [105]
The long-distance marriage between Plisthenes and Aerope is presumed to have been mediated by Phliasus.
7 Age of Thyestes (1215-1203 BC)
7.1 Seizing the Mycenae
Legend has it that Aegisthus, son of Thyestes, killed Atreus. [106]
However, since Aegisthus was not killed by Agamemnon, it seems that Atreus lived out his natural life.
Atreus is estimated to have been 75 years old at his death.
If Atreus was older than Thyestes, Agamemnon would have succeeded Atreus, although he had not yet reached the age of majority.
Because Thyestes was older than Atreus, Thyestes took control of Mycenae.
Thyestes sent Agamemnon and Menelaus out of town to be succeeded by his son Aegisthus. [107]
7.2 Battle with Heracleidae
Diodorus tells us that Atreus led the Peloponnesus army against the Heracleidae led by Hyllus. [108]
However, it was Thyestes, not Atreus, who led the Peloponnesian army.
This is because Echemus of Tegea appears as the opponent of Hyllus in single combat in this battle, and Agamemnon does not appear. [109]
It is unnatural that the Heracleidae side has sent out a general, but the Peloponnesus side has sent out reinforcements rather than a general. If Atreus was in charge, his grandson Agamemnon would also have been in the army. Agamemnon was about the same age as Hyllus. Agamemnon and Echemus were brothers-in-law through their respective wives, and Agamemnon would have been Hyllus's opponent in single combat.
The historical fact is that Thyestes led the Peloponnesus army at this time, and that Agamemnon was not in the army.
7.3 Confinement on Cythera Island
Agamemnon and Menelaus, exiled by Thyestes, were taken from Sicyon to Aetolia and then to Sparta. [110]
Menelaus married Tyndareus' daughter Helen and succeeded Tyndareus as king of Lacedaemon. [111]
In 1203 BC, Agamemnon and Menelaus led the Lacedaemonians back to Mycenae.
They ordered Thyestes and his son Aegisthus to live on the island of Cythera, off the coast of the Gulf of Laconia. [112]
Thyestes died on the island of Cythera. [113]
8 Age of Agamemnon, grandson of Atreus (1203-1173 BC)
8.1 Territorial expansion
Once Agamemnon took control of Mycenae, he brought the northern part of the Peloponnesus peninsula from Sicyon to Helice of Achaia under his control. [114]
He also brought under his control Cardamyle, Enope, Hire, Pherae, Antheia, Aepeia, and Pedasus on the coast of the Gulf of Messenia. [115]
These seven towns were the ones that Agamemnon told Nestor to give to Achilles. [116]
8.2 Marriage to Megara
In 1190 BC, Agamemnon's daughter Iphigenia married Philaeus, son of Ajax, who lived in Megara. There is no tradition regarding this marriage, so it is only a guess, but the basis is as follows.
Pausanias tells us that there is a mausoleum of Iphigenia in Megara, and that she died in that town. [117]
Also, Philaeus lived in Brauron, and Iphigenia was a priestess in the service of Artemis in Brauron. [118]
Ajax was succeeded by Iphigenia's brother Hyperion, who became king of Megara. [119]
8.3 Troy Expedition
Legend has it that the Achaean army, with Agamemnon as their commander in chief, marched from the port of Aulis in Boeotia to Troy. [120]
The battle between the Trojans and the Achaeans, as told in Homer's Iliad, is a historical story in which Agamemnon was a major character.
However, Agamemnon does not appear to have participated in the Trojan expedition.
Agamemnon's reign reportedly lasted 30 or 35 years, with the Trojan War ending in the 18th year of his reign. However, this contradicts the tradition that Agamemnon was killed shortly after his return from Troy. [121]
8.4 Emigration from Tenedos
In 1286 BC, Polybus, son of Phlias, lived in Tenea of Corinth. [122]
Polybus succeeded as king of Sicyon, entrusted the city to his adopted son Oedipus, son of Laius, and himself emigrated to Sicyon. [123]
In 1238 BC, Oedipus rushed to put down the Sphinx rebellion in Boeotia and immediately moved to Thebes. [124]
It is assumed that Tenea was then under the control of its neighbor to the west, Atreus of Cleonae.
In 1186 BC, Agamemnon settled Tenea with people who had fled Tenedos off the coast of Troy. [125]
In 733 BC, Archias, one of the Heracleidae of Corinth, migrated to southeastern Sicily, expelled the Sicels, and founded Syracuse. [126]
Most of the immigrants led by Archias were Trojans who lived in Tenea. [127]
8.5 Emigration to Italy
In 1187 BC, Halaesus, son of Agamemnon, migrated to Falerii in central Italy. [128]
In 1182 BC, a war broke out between Aeneas and the Rutulians, who were based in Ardea in the region of Latium. Halaesus sided with Turnus, king of the Rutulians, and was slain by Pallas, son of Evander. [129])
The Rutulians were descendants of Danae, daughter of Acrisius, king of Argos. The Rutulians also held territory around Falerii, and appear to have divided the land among their kin, Halaesus.
Halaesus was also associated with Alsium, about 46 km south-southwest of Falerii. [130]
After Halaesus was killed in battle, the Mycenaeans living in Falerii seem to have returned to Mycenae. Recent archaeological excavations have unearthed artifacts dating back to the 12th century BC that show a connection between Mycenae and Italy.
8.6 Capture of Argos
Hyettus migrated from Argos to Boeotia in 1265 BC. [131]
After the migration of Hyettus, internal conflicts in Argos led to migration to various locations.
One of the three royal families of Argos, the royal family of Melampous was last seen by the sons of Amphiaraus in 1204 BC.
In 1184 BC, Diomedes, son of Tydeus, migrated to Aetolia. [132]
Diomedes' mother, Deipyla (or Deipyle), was the daughter of Adrastus, son of Talaus, son of Bias, and Diomedes was a member of the royal family of Bias.
Afterwards, Cyanippus, the son of Aegialeus, died without leaving any heirs, and the royal family of Bias became extinct. [133]
The last remaining royal family of Anaxagoras in Argos, Cylarabes, son of Sthenelus, died without leaving any children, and the royal family became extinct. [134]
In 1176 BC, the royal line of Argos, which had lasted 574 years from Phoroneus, son of Inachus, ended, and Orestes occupied Argos. [135]
9 Age of Orestes, son of Agamemnon (1173 BC -)
In 1173 BC, Agamemnon died and his son Orestes inherited Mycenae. [136]
9.1 Destruction by the Dorians
In 1173 BC, Cleodaeus, son of Hyllus, son of Heracles, led the Dorians against Mycenae and destroyed the city. [137]
Recent archaeological research has confirmed traces of destruction by the Mycenae in the 12th century BC. [138]
The Dorians also destroyed Tiryns and Midea and occupied Argos. [139]
The inhabitants of Mycenae migrated from place to place.
9.1.1 Emigration to Tegea
Orestes migrated from Mycenae to Tegea in Arcadia. [140]
Tegea was the birthplace of Antimache, wife of Eurystheus, and has long been associated with Mycenae. [141]
Also, Echemus, the husband of Timandra, the sister of Clytaemnestra, the wife of Agamemnon, the father of Orestes, was a king of Arcadia who is said to have fought single combat with Hyllus, the son of Heracles.
With the migration of Orestes, Hippothous, son of Cercyon, who lived in Tegea, migrated to Trapezus. [142]
Pausanias writes that Orestes made most of Arcadia into a territory, and this seems to have been the case. [143]
9.1.2 Emigration to Megara
Hyperion, son of Agamemnon, migrated to Megara. [144]
In Megara lived Hyperion's sister Iphigenia, who married Philaeus, son of Ajax. [145]
Hyperion was killed by Sandion due to his tyrannical behavior, and the Megara monarchy was abolished. [146]
9.1.3 Emigration to Locris
There were also children of Agamemnon who fled to Locris. [147]
In 1126 BC, the Aeolis, who lived around Mount Phricium in Locris, migrated to Asia Minor, led by the great-grandsons of Agamemnon, Cleues and Malaus, sons of Dorus. [148]
9.2 Expulsion of Dorians
Orestes, who moved to Tegea, gathered an army and expelled the Dorians who had occupied Argos. Cleodaeus, the son of Hyllus, who led the Dorians, seems to have safely returned to Pindus in the Doris region, whereupon a son, Aristomachus, was born to him. [149]
However, some people, including Cleodaeus' eldest son, were unable to return to the Doris region and remained in Peloponnesus. They fled to Ire of Messenia and settled there. [150]
Polyphontes, the "True" Heracleidae, who later revolted against Cresphontes, the son of Aristomachus who captured Messenia, is probably the son or grandson of Cleodaeus' eldest son. [151]
After expelling the Dorians, Orestes continued to live in Tegea, and Argos made his son Tisamenus rule. [152]
9.3 Colonization
In 1170 BC, Orestes and Peisander of Amyclae went on an expedition to Tenedos off the coast of Troy and founded Tenedos. [153]
Peisander's maternal grandfather was Melanippus, a defender of Thebes. [154]
Orestes' expedition was accompanied by Perinthus of Epidaurus, who founded Perinthus (not the city of Thrace). [156]
9.4 Causes of Orestes' Colonial Activity
Later Ionian colonization of Asia Minor was caused by the influx of refugees into Athens, resulting in overpopulation.
However, Orestes' colonial activity seems to have been largely due to the destruction of Mycenae, Tiryns, and Midea, which were under Orestes' control, by the invasion of the Dorians.
Aristotle also tells us that after the Trojan War, Mycenae became dry and barren. [157]
Land degradation and climate change have led to the land no longer being able to support the population it once had.
Considering that Amyclae and Epidaurus also participated in the colonization activities of Orestes, this phenomenon seems to have occurred throughout Peloponnesus. [158]
9.5 End of Orestes
In 1132 BC, at the age of 70, Orestes died from a snake. [159]
Herodotus tells us that the Spartans discovered the remains of Orestes through the oracle of Delphi. [160]
However, Pausanias reports that the Spartans stole the remains from the tomb of Orestes, which was located inside the city gates of Tegea. [161]
In the time of Pausanias there was a tomb of Orestes in Sparta. [162]
10 Return of the Heracleidae
Strabo tells us that after the return of the Heracleidae, Mycenae became a town of the Dorians. [163]
However, outside the walls of Mycenae lived the Achaeans, who had no powerful leader. Mycenae maintained its independence while many towns in Argolis were influenced by the Dorians of Argos. [164]
Pausanias, Apollodorus, and Strabo report that the Dorians invaded Peloponnesus and took Argos, Cleonae, Corinth, Epidaurus, Lacedaemon, Messenia, Phlius, and Troezen.
Mycenae, Tiryns, and Mideia do not appear in the legends of the return of the Heracleidae.
It is estimated that the inside of the city walls was in ruins.
11 Fall of Mycenae
Mycenae was in conflict with Argos over the temple of Hera and the festival of Nemea, but the war with Persia led to the fall of Mycenae. [165]
In 480 BC, the Mycenaeans sent 80 men to the Battle of Thermopylae, but Argos was unable to send any troops. [166]
Some time earlier, Argos had lost most of its male citizens in a battle with Cleomenes, son of Anaxandridas of Lacedaemon. [167]
In 468 BC, Argos attacked the Mycenaeans, who were holed up within the city walls, and attacked them with food and supplies, destroying the city. [168]
Pausanias tells us that Argos destroyed Mycenae out of jealousy. [169]
The Mycenaeans, deprived of their habitat, migrated to various places.
11.1 Emigration to Macedonia
Most of the Mycenaeans fled to Macedonia and sought the protection of Alexander, son of Amyntas. [170]
Herodotus reports that Alexander participated in the Olympics in recognition of his Greek heritage. [171]
Therefore, the Mycenaeans should have known that Alexander was a descendant of Temenus of Argos.
The reason why the Mycenaeans took refuge with the people from Argos who had driven them out is presumed to be because Alexander was a descendant of Perseus, the founder of Mycenae.
Already over 200 years ago, the rulers of Argos ceased to be descendants of Temenus. [172]
11.2 Emigration to Cleonae
Some of the Mycenaeans fled to nearby Cleonae. [173]
Strabo tells us that Cleonae, along with Tegea, joined Argos when Mycenae was destroyed. [174]
Strabo also says that Mycenae became a town of the Heracleidae shortly before this writing, and seems to have been referring to an incorrect historical source.
Cleonae was ruled by Agamedidas, the great-grandson of Ctesippus, son of Heracles, a member of the Heracleidae, and the inhabitants of the town were presumably Achaeans. [175]
11.3 Emigration to Ceryneia
Some of the Mycenaeans fled to Ceryneia in Achaia. [176]
Ceryneia is listed by Pausanias as one of the twelve cities of Achaia, and was founded by the Achaeans, led by Tisamenus, son of Orestes, who were chased by the Heracleidae. [177]
Accepting the Mycenaeans as co-residents, Ceryneia became more populous and powerful. [178]
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