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Greek Mythology > People, Places, & Things > Agesilaus II to Akhaia
A to Aegyptus Aello to Agesilaus I Agesilaus II to Akhaia Akhaian to Alkman Alkmene to Anaetius Anakeion to Apaturia Apeliotes to Argos Argus to Arkhidike Arkhilokhos to Astyanax Astydameia to Azov
The nineteenth Eurypontidai king of the city of Sparta (ruled 399-360 BCE).
Sparta traditionally had two kings who ruled jointly; one king was required to be a descendant of king Eurypon and the other was required to be a descendant of king Agis I (respectively known as the Eurypontidai and the Agiadai).
Although lame, Agesilaus was a dynamic and resourceful leader; he died commanding a military expedition against the Persians circa 360 BCE.
Agesilaus was the subject of Xenophon’s historic text Agesilaus.
See Agesilaus II by itself with citation tips (best for bookmarking).
The fifth Agiadai king of the city of Sparta (ruled circa 815-785 BCE).
Sparta traditionally had two kings who ruled jointly; one king was required to be a descendant of king Agis I and the other was required to be a descendant of king Eurypon (respectively known as the Agiadai and the Eurypontidai).
Very little is known about Agesilaus I and the dates given for his rule are extrapolations and should be used only as approximations.
See Agesilaus I by itself with citation tips (best for bookmarking).
The twenty-ninth Agiadai king of the city of Sparta (ruled from 219-215 BCE).
Sparta traditionally had two kings who ruled jointly; one king was required to be a descendant of king Agis I and the other was required to be a descendant of king Eurypon (respectively known as the Agiadai and the Eurypontidai).
Beginning with Leonidas I, the sixteenth Agiadai king who ruled from 490-480 BCE, the names and dates for the Spartan kings became a part of the historical record and are generally accepted as factual.
Prior to Leonidas I the dates for the Spartan kings are extrapolated back from historical times to approximate the time periods in which each king ruled.
See Agesipolis III by itself with citation tips (best for bookmarking).
The twenty-second Agiadai king of the city of Sparta (ruled from 371-370 BCE).
Sparta traditionally had two kings who ruled jointly; one king was required to be a descendant of king Agis I and the other was required to be a descendant of king Eurypon (respectively known as the Agiadai and the Eurypontidai).
Beginning with Leonidas I, the sixteenth Agiadai king who ruled from 490-480 BCE, the names and dates for the Spartan kings became a part of the historical record and are generally accepted as factual.
Prior to Leonidas I the dates for the Spartan kings are extrapolated back from historical times to approximate the time periods in which each king ruled.
See Agesipolis II by itself with citation tips (best for bookmarking).
The twentieth Agiadai king of the city of Sparta (ruled from 395-380 BCE).
Sparta traditionally had two kings who ruled jointly; one king was required to be a descendant of king Agis I and the other was required to be a descendant of king Eurypon (respectively known as the Agiadai and the Eurypontidai).
Beginning with Leonidas I, the sixteenth Agiadai king who ruled from 490-480 BCE, the names and dates for the Spartan kings became a part of the historical record and are generally accepted as factual.
Prior to Leonidas I the dates for the Spartan kings are extrapolated back from historical times to approximate the time periods in which each king ruled.
See Agesipolis I by itself with citation tips (best for bookmarking).
The family name for the descendants of one of the first kings of the city of Sparta, king Agis I.
The dates of his rule are not known for certain but we can assume that he ruled circa 930-900.
Sparta traditionally had two kings who ruled jointly; one king was required to be a descendant of king Agis I and the other was required to be a descendant of king Eurypon; their families were respectively known as the Agiadai and the Eurypontidai.
The Agiadai are also referred to as the Agiads.
See Agiadai by itself with citation tips (best for bookmarking).
The twenty-first Eurypontidai king of the city of Sparta (ruled 338-331 BCE).
Sparta traditionally had two kings who ruled jointly; one king was required to be a descendant of king Eurypon and the other was required to be a descendant of king Agis I (respectively known as the Eurypontidai and the Agiadai).
See Agis III by itself with citation tips (best for bookmarking).
The eighteenth Eurypontidai king of the city of Sparta (ruled 427-399 BCE).
Sparta traditionally had two kings who ruled jointly; one king was required to be a descendant of king Eurypon and the other was required to be a descendant of king Agis I (respectively known as the Eurypontidai and the Agiadai).
See Agis II by itself with citation tips (best for bookmarking).
The twenty-fifth Eurypontidai king of the city of Sparta (ruled 244-241 BCE).
Sparta traditionally had two kings who ruled jointly; one king was required to be a descendant of king Eurypon and the other was required to be a descendant of king Agis I (respectively known as the Eurypontidai and the Agiadai).
See Agis IV by itself with citation tips (best for bookmarking).
The first and eponymous Agiadai king of the city of Sparta (ruled circa 930-900 BCE).
Sparta traditionally had two kings who ruled jointly; one king was required to be a descendant of king Agis I and the other was required to be a descendant of king Eurypon (respectively known as the Agiadai and the Eurypontidai).
Very little is known about Agis I and the dates given for his rule are extrapolations and should be used only as approximations.
See Agis I by itself with citation tips (best for bookmarking).
One of the Graces who represented splendor, beauty and adornment.
Aglaia was the mother of the Greek soldier, Nireus.
Her sisters are: Euphrosyne and Thalia.
See Aglaia by itself with citation tips (best for bookmarking).
A painter from the island of Thasos circa fifth or sixth century BCE.
Aglaophon was the father and teacher of Polygnotus.
See Aglaophon of Thasos by itself with citation tips (best for bookmarking).
A person who believes God is unknowable; from the Greek word Agnotos, i.e. not known.
See Agnostic by itself with citation tips (best for bookmarking).
In ancient Greece, a contest in which prizes were awarded for a variety of events: athletic, dramatic, musical, poetic and artistic.
See Agon (1) by itself with citation tips (best for bookmarking).
In Greek comedy, a formalized debate or argumentation.
The classifications into which modern scholars have divided Old Comedy are usually expressed in six elements:
See Agon (2) by itself with citation tips (best for bookmarking).
The name literally means “an assembly of the people” as opposed to “an assembly of chiefs.”
The term Agora was used in both the formal and general sense:
See Agora (1) by itself with citation tips (best for bookmarking).
A Greek town on the narrow peninsula known as the Khersonese (Chersonese) in the district of Thrake (Thrace).
See Agora (2) by itself with citation tips (best for bookmarking).
Another name for the wife of Orpheus who was usually known as Eurydike (Eurydice).
She was a tree nymph, a dryad.
She was pursued by Apollon’s son, Aristaios and, as she was fleeing, she was bitten by a poisonous snake and died.
After her death, Orpheus was so distraught that he ventured into the Underworld in an attempt to bring her back to the sunlight.
Orpheus used his wit and talent to charm Hades (lord of the Underworld) and Agriope (Eurydike) was allowed to return to the surface of the earth provided that Orpheus lead the way and not look back to see if she was following him.
At the very last moment Orpheus was compelled to look around and, by doing so, Agriope (Eurydike) was returned to the land of the dead and lost to Orpheus until he also died.
See Agriope by itself with citation tips (best for bookmarking).
Agrios, Latinos and Telegonos were the sons of Odysseus and the nymph, Kirke (Circe).
See Agrios by itself with citation tips (best for bookmarking).
One of the Giants who was imprisoned under Mount Aetna after the failed attempt by the Giants to overthrow the Olympians.
See Agrius by itself with citation tips (best for bookmarking).
Tilled land, soil.
See Agro by itself with citation tips (best for bookmarking).
The son of Ninus and a descendant of Herakles (Heracles).
Agron was the first descendant of Herakles to rule the Persian capital, Sardis.
The rule of the Heraklidae, i.e. the descendants of Herakles, lasted 505 years.
See Agron by itself with citation tips (best for bookmarking).
A name for Apollon as Guardian of the Streets.
Also, Aguieus was the name of a pillar set up in front of buildings to evoke Apollon’s protection.
See Aguieus by itself with citation tips (best for bookmarking).
The original name for Kolkhis (Colchis).
Aia was an ancient country that bordered the eastern edge of the Euxine (Black Sea) south of the Caucasus Mountains.
Aia is best known as the land of the Golden Fleece and the realm of king Aietes (Aeetes).
See Aia by itself with citation tips (best for bookmarking).
The island inhabited by the beautiful nymph, Kirke (Circe).
The location of Aiaia is thought to be off the west coast of Italy north and west of Mount Vesuvius.
After seven years on the island, Zeus commanded Kirke to allow Odysseus to leave and resume his journey home to Ithaka (Ithaca).
See Aiaia by itself with citation tips (best for bookmarking).
Telamonian Aias, i.e. Aias, the son of Telamon (and Eriboea).
When Herakles (Heracles) was being entertained by Telamon, he prayed that Telamon would have a son; at that moment, Zeus sent an omen in the form of an eagle to signify his blessing; the name Aias is taken from the word for eagle, i.e. aetos.
Aias was a Greek hero during the Trojan War and said to be the largest man in the Greek army.
There is a popular story in which Aias is said to have killed himself out of jealously when Odysseus was awarded the armor of the fallen Akhilleus (Achilles) but, in The Odyssey (book 4, lines 500-511), Aias is said to have drowned because he mocked the Immortals and Poseidon (lord of the Sea) shattered the island where Aias committed the blasphemy, sending the hero to the bottom of the sea.
The Ai (alpha iota) is a vowel-digraph that is pronounced as a short E.
See Aias (1) by itself with citation tips (best for bookmarking).
The son of Oileus and Eriopis and half-brother of Medon; also called Lesser Aias.
Aias was the king of Lorkis (Lorcis).
He was the Greek hero who fought side-by-side with his friend, Telamonian Aias; the names of the two men are often confused but unlike Telamonian Aias, Lesser Aias was slight of build and was clad in linen instead of bronze.
Aias was the best man with a spear in the Greek army.
See Aias (2) by itself with citation tips (best for bookmarking).
Another name for Hades (lord of the Underworld).
The Ai (alpha iota) is a vowel-digraph that is pronounced as a short E.
See Aides by itself with citation tips (best for bookmarking).
A name for Hades (lord of the Underworld).
The Ai (alpha iota) is a vowel-digraph that is pronounced as a short E.
See Aidoneus (1) by itself with citation tips (best for bookmarking).
A king of the city of Thesprotia in the district of Epirus.
The Ai (alpha iota) is a vowel-digraph that is pronounced as a short E.
See Aidoneus (2) by itself with citation tips (best for bookmarking).
The eccentric king of the Molossians.
Aidoneus was named after the lord of the Dead, Hades, his wife was named Persephone, his daughter was named Kore (Core) and his dog was named Kerberos (Cerberus).
When Pirithous and Theseus went to the town of Aphidnus to kidnap Kore, Aidoneus had his dog kill Pirithous and took Theseus captive.
See Aidoneus (3) by itself with citation tips (best for bookmarking).
The personification of Modesty, Respect and Shame.
In the poem, Works and Days (line 200), Hesiod explains to his brother that when Aidos (Shame) and Nemesis (Indignation) are gone from the earth there will be sorrow and no defense against evil.
The Ai (alpha iota) is a vowel-digraph that is pronounced as a short E.
See Aidos by itself with citation tips (best for bookmarking).
The son of Helios (the Sun) and the Okeanid, Perseis.
Aietes was the legendary king of Kolkhis (Colchis) and the husband of Eidyia; with Eidyia, he was the father of Medea and Khalkiope (Chalciope) and with the nymph, Asterodeia, he was the father of a son named Apsyrtos; he was the brother of the sorceress nymph, Kirke (Circe).
Aietes is most famous for giving sanctuary to Phrixus when he came to Kolkhis on the flying ram with the Golden Fleece; Phrixus sacrificed the magical ram and placed its Golden Fleece in the Garden of Ares where it was guarded by a dragon.
When Iason (Jason) and the Argonauts arrived in Kolkhis and asked for the Fleece, Aietes was furious; Aietes decided that it would not be wise to blatantly refuse Iason’s request for the Golden Fleece, so he cunningly challenged Iason to demonstrate his strength by harnessing two fierce supernatural, bronze-footed bulls to a plow a field and sow the dragon’s teeth of Kadmus (Cadmus); the dragon’s teeth would grow into warriors and then Iason would have to fight and kill the Earth-Born warriors.
As the niece of Kirke and the priestess of the Earth-Goddess, Hekate (Hecate), Medea possessed magical powers; she used her powers to protect Iason and he successfully subdued the bulls, plowed a field, planted the dragon’s teeth and killed the Earth-Born warriors.
Aietes was again furious but he was bound by his promise to give Iason the Golden Fleece; Medea was afraid to stay in Kolkhis because she knew that when her father found out that she had helped Iason he would vent his wrath on her; Medea led Iason to the Golden Fleece and used her supernatural powers to bewitch the guardian dragon.
When the Argonauts fled Kolkhis with the Golden Fleece, Medea went with them; Aietes sent his fleet, led by his son Apsyrtos, to overtake Medea and bring her back for punishment; Apsyrtos was led into a trap by Medea and killed by Iason.
When Aietes found out that the Argonauts were being protected by the king of the Phaiakians (Phaeacians), Alkinoos (Alcinous), he demanded the return of his daughter; king Alkinoos, being wise and fair, declared that if Medea was unmarried she was still subject to her father’s will but if she was married, she was responsible only to her husband; Iason and Medea were married and Aietes was left without a son, without the Golden Fleece and, perhaps most painfully, betrayed by his daughter.
The Ai (alpha iota) is a vowel-digraph that is pronounced as a short E.
See Aietes by itself with citation tips (best for bookmarking).
The wife of the Greek soldier, Diomedes and daughter of Adrastus.
See Aigialeia by itself with citation tips (best for bookmarking).
The son of Adrastus and the only casualty when the Epigoni captured the city of Thebes.
Adrastus, who was already an old man, supposedly died of grief at the death of his beloved son, Aigialeus.
See Aigialeus by itself with citation tips (best for bookmarking).
The name of one of the four oldest tribes of Ionia.
The name literally means Goat-Herds or Goat-Feeders.
The other tribes were known as:
Argadeis (Workmen or Laborers);
Oplites (Hoplites) (Men in Armor); and
Teleontes (Geleontes) (Farmers).
The Ai (alpha iota) is a vowel-digraph that is pronounced as a short E.
See Aigikoreis by itself with citation tips (best for bookmarking).
The son of Thyestes and the cousin of Agamemnon.
When Agamemnon returned from the siege of Troy, Aigisthos conspired with Agamemnon’s wife, Klytemnestra (Clytemnestra), to murder Agamemnon.
In The Odyssey, Aigisthos set a trap for Agamemnon and killed him without the assistance of Klytemnestra; whether Aigisthos was acting of his own free will or whether he was simply a pawn of the Immortals is a matter of debate; his uncle, Atreus, had killed Aigisthos’ brothers and sisters in a blood feud with Aigisthos’ father, Thyestes, and his participation in Agamemnon’s murder was either divine revenge or a selfish attempt to get Agamemnon out of the way so he could marry Klytemnestra.
The play, Agamemnon, by Aeskhylus is much more dramatic and has Klytemnestra single-handedly murdering Agamemnon while the captive sorceress, Kassandra (Cassandra), tries unsuccessfully to warn Agamemnon of his impending doom.
Aigisthos was finally killed by Agamemnon’s son, Orestes.
See Aigisthos by itself with citation tips (best for bookmarking).
The daughter of Panopeus and, according to Plutarkh (Plutarch), Theseus might have abandoned Ariadne for Aigle after Ariadne helped him escape the labyrinth of her father, king Minos.
See Aigle by itself with citation tips (best for bookmarking).
The constellation Capricorn.
Aigokeros literally means, Goat-Horned.
The Ai (alpha iota) is a vowel-digraph that is pronounced as a short E.
See Aigokeros by itself with citation tips (best for bookmarking).
The son of the mortal Ankhises (Anchises) and Aphrodite (goddess of Love).
His name might be translated as Awful, i.e. the Greek word ainos.
Aineias sailed with Alexandros (Paris) when he went to Sparta and kidnapped Helen.
When the Greeks arrived at Troy, one of the first things that Akhilleus (Achilles) did was to steal the cattle of Aineias.
Aineias fought in the defense the city of Troy and was one of the few survivors when the city fell to the Greeks.
Zeus promised that Aineias and his descendants would be the rulers of Troy after the reign of Priam was ended; the lord of the Sea, Poseidon, entered the battle of Troy to save Aineias when the young hero became too aggressive and wanted to fight Akhilleus.
There are several accounts of Aineias’ fate after the fall of Troy:
See Aineias by itself with citation tips (best for bookmarking).
Legendary founder of the Aeolian nation; a son of Hellen and father of Alkyone (Alcyone), Athamas, Kalyke (Calyce), Kanake (Canace), Makareos (Macareus), Salmoneus and Sisyphus; his brothers were Xuthus and Doris.
See Aiolos (1) by itself with citation tips (best for bookmarking).
The lord of the winds who was given his powers by Zeus; he lived on the floating island of Aeolia which is assumed to be located slightly north of the island of Sicily.
Aeolus is most famous in mythology for assisting Odysseus in his quest to return home after the fall of the city of Troy; Aiolos put the winds into a container and told Odysseus not to open it until he was safely at home; members of Odysseus’ crew opened the container hoping to find treasure and unleashed the winds which drove them back to the island of Aeolia; Aiolos refused to help Odysseus again and his ships were left to the merciless winds.
See Aiolos (2) by itself with citation tips (best for bookmarking).
The son of Kretheus (Cretheus) and the father of Aeson, thus he was the grandfather of the famous adventurer,Iason (Jason).
See Aiolos (3) by itself with citation tips (best for bookmarking).
A festival of ancient Attika (Attica) at which dolls were swung from trees to commemorate Erigone’s suicide by hanging.
From the Greek word, aiora, i.e. swing.
When mortal men were first exposed to wine, they became drunk and killed Erigone’s father, Ikarius (Icarius); Erigone was so grief stricken that she hanged herself from a tree.
The Ai (alpha iota) is a vowel-digraph that is pronounced as a short E.
See Aiora by itself with citation tips (best for bookmarking).
The goddess of Destiny
Aisa is similar to the original goddess of Fate, Moira.
The Ai (alpha iota) is a vowel-digraph that is pronounced as a short E.
See Aisa by itself with citation tips (best for bookmarking).
One of the twin sons of Boukolion and the nymph, Abarbare.
Aisepos and his brother, Pedasos, were killed by the Greek soldier, Euryalos, while defending the city of Troy.
See Aisepos (1) by itself with citation tips (best for bookmarking).
A river god.
One of the sons of Okeanos (Ocean) and Tethys.
The Aisepos River flows into the Propontis (Sea of Marmara) from the Phrygian mainland.
Zeus gave the Rivers, Apollon and the Okeanids the special obligation of having the young in their keeping.
See Aisepos (2) by itself with citation tips (best for bookmarking).
The son of Kretheus (Cretheus) and the father of Iason (Jason).
When Iason and the Argonauts returned from their quest for the Golden Fleece, Aison was forced to commit suicide by king Pelias; as revenge for the death of Aison, Iason’s wife, the sorceress Medea, tricked Pelias’ daughters into killing their father in order to make him immortal.
The Ai (alpha iota) is a vowel-digraph that is pronounced as a short E.
See Aison by itself with citation tips (best for bookmarking).
The son of Hermes and Eupolemeia.
Aithalides was one of the Argonauts and the half-brother of the Argonauts, Erytos and Ekhion (Echion).
Because of his indelible memory, Aithalides was the herald of the Argonauts.
See Aithalides by itself with citation tips (best for bookmarking).
The child of Erebus (Darkness) and Nyx (Night).
Aither was conceived with Hemera (Day).
Aither literally means Brighter Purer Air, i.e. the sky above as opposed to the lower atmosphere.
The Ai (alpha iota) is a vowel-digraph that is pronounced as a short E.
See Aither by itself with citation tips (best for bookmarking).
One of the chariot horses of the Trojan hero, Hektor (Hector).
Hektor’s other horses were: Xanthos (Xanthus), Podargos (Podargus) and Lampos (Lampus).
See Aithon by itself with citation tips (best for bookmarking).
An epithet for Boreas (North Wind) meaning Born in Aither.
Aithregenes was one of the sons of Eos (Dawn) and Astraios.
The Ai (alpha iota) is a vowel-digraph that is pronounced as a short E.
See Aithregenes by itself with citation tips (best for bookmarking).
Telamonian Aias, i.e. Aias, the son of Telamon.
Aias was called Ajax by the Romans and for some unknown reason most writers insist on using his Roman name instead of his proper Greek name.
Aias was a Greek hero of the Trojan War and said to be the largest man in the Greek army.
There is a popular story in which Aias is said to have killed himself out of jealously when Odysseus was awarded the armor of the fallen Akhilleus (Achilles) but, in The Iliad (book 4, lines 500-511), Aias is said to have drowned because he mocked the Immortals and Poseidon (lord of the Sea) shattered the island where Aias committed the blasphemy, sending the hero to the bottom of the sea.
See Ajax by itself with citation tips (best for bookmarking).
The hero who assisted Kastor (Castor) and Polydeukes (Polydeuces or Pollux) in the rescue of their sister, Helen, after she had been kidnapped by Theseus.
Akademus revealed Helen’s hiding place to her brothers and allowed them to rescue her; sometimes this deed is attributed to another hero named Dekelus (Decelus).
See Akademus by itself with citation tips (best for bookmarking).
The daughter of Minos who was driven from her home by her father and came to dwell in Libya.
Akakallis was the consort of Apollon with whom she had a son, Amphithemis.
See Akakallis by itself with citation tips (best for bookmarking).
See Akamas by itself with citation tips (best for bookmarking).
The ornamental leaf design used to decorate the capitals of Corinthian Columns; the leaf design was copied from the plant Acanthus spinosa.
See Akanthus by itself with citation tips (best for bookmarking).
The coastal region of the west-central part of ancient Greece; bounded by the Akhelous (Achelous) River on the south and the Gulf of Amurakia on the north.
See Akarnania by itself with citation tips (best for bookmarking).
An Okeanid, i.e. one of the three thousand daughters of Okeanos (Ocean) and Tethys.
Zeus gave the Okeanids, Apollon and the Rivers the special obligation of having the young in their keeping.
See Akaste by itself with citation tips (best for bookmarking).
The son of the king of Iolkos (Iolcos), Pelias, and Anaxibia.
Akastos is most famous for his participation in the Kalydonian (Calydonian) Hunt but he also participated, against his father’s will, in the quest for the Golden Fleece with the Argonauts.
His father, Pelias, was the man who sent Iason (Jason) and the Argonauts on the seemingly impossible quest for the Golden Fleece.
When the Argonauts returned to Iolkos with the Fleece, Iason’s sorceress wife, Medea, induced Akastos’ sisters to kill Pelias in an attempt to restore his youth; as punishment, Akastos banished Iason and Medea from Iolkos.
At the funeral games for his father, Akastos’ wife, Astydameia, became infatuated with another of the Argonauts, Peleus, and made unwanted advances towards him; when he rejected her, she lied to Akastos and as a result, Akastos had Peleus disarmed and abandoned him on Mount Pelion to die; the Centaur, Kheiron (Chiron) found Peleus and saved him from certain death on the mountain.
His name may also be rendered as Akastus or Acastus.
See Akastos by itself with citation tips (best for bookmarking).
In Persia, the legendary ancestor of Kyrus (Cyrus), Kambyses (Cambyses) and Darius who founded the ruling family called the Achaemenids which lasted until the time of Alexander the Great (circa 330 BCE).
See Akhaemenes (1) by itself with citation tips (best for bookmarking).
In the Persian royal dynasty, the son of Darius who was the governor of Egypt during the rule of Xerxes (485-465 BCE) and also served as an admiral in the fleet of Xerxes during the invasion of Greece in 480 BCE.
Akhaemenes was killed by Inarus the Libyan.
See Akhaemenes (2) by itself with citation tips (best for bookmarking).
The first royal house of Persia which was founded by the legendary Akhaemenes (Achaemenes) and ended with Darius III at the hands of Alexander the Great (circa 330 BCE).
See Akhaemenids by itself with citation tips (best for bookmarking).
See Akhaia by itself with citation tips (best for bookmarking).
A to Aegyptus Aello to Agesilaus I Agesilaus II to Akhaia Akhaian to Alkman Alkmene to Anaetius Anakeion to Apaturia Apeliotes to Argos Argus to Arkhidike Arkhilokhos to Astyanax Astydameia to Azov
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