CytissorosKytissoros

One of the four sons of Phrixus and Khalkiope (Chalciope).

Kytissoros and his brothers were raised in Kolkhis (Colchis) but after their father died, he and his brothers left Kolkhis to avenge their father’s ill treatment by king Athamas of Orkhomenos (Orchomenos) and were stranded on the Island of Ares (god of War) in the Euxine (Black Sea); they were rescued from the island by the Argonauts; he and his brothers joined the crew of the Argo and returned to Kolkhis.

Later in life, Kytissoros managed to confront Athamas but he did not avenge his father as he had intended; he came upon Athamas in Akhaia (Achaea) in the town of Alus; the Akhaians (Achaeans), at the advice of an oracle, were preparing to sacrifice Athamas; Kytissoros saved Athamas and incurred the wrath of Zeus; from that time forward, the eldest member of Athamas’ family was forbidden, on penalty of death, to enter the town hall.

Kytissoros’ brothers were: Argus, Phrontis and Melas.

His name may also be rendered as Kytissorus or Cytissorus.

• Argonautika, book 2, lines 1140-1156
• Histories, book 7, chapter 197