Abas (son of Lynceus)

For other uses, see Abas (mythology).

In Greek mythology, Abas (/ˈeɪbəs/; Ancient Greek: Ἄβας) was the twelfth king of Argos. He was the great-grandfather of Perseus, and the founder of the towns Abae and Argos Pelasgikon. Hera favoured Abas and blessed his shield making it resistant to any sword.

Family

Abas was the son of Lynceus^[1] of the royal family of Argos, and Hypermnestra, the last of the Danaides.^[2] With his wife Ocalea (or Aglaea, depending on the source), he had twin sons Acrisius (grandfather of Perseus) and Proetus,^[3] and one daughter, Idomene.^[4] According to Pausanias, Abas had also an illegitimate son named Lyrcus, who gave his name to the city of Lyrcea.^[5]

The name Abantiades (/ˌæbænˈtaɪədiːz/; Ancient Greek: Ἀβαντιάδης) generally signified a descendant of this Abas, but was used especially to designate Perseus, the great-grandson of Abas,^[6] and Acrisius, a son of Abas.^[7] A female descendant of Abas, as Danaë and Atalante, was called Abantias.^[8]

Mythology

Abas was a successful conqueror, and was the founder of the city of Abae in northeastern Phocis,^[9] home to the legendary oracular temple to Apollo Abaeus, and also of the Pelasgic Argos in Thessaly.^[10] When Abas informed his father of the death of Danaus, he was rewarded with the shield of his grandfather, which was sacred to Hera.^[11][12] Abas was said to be so fearsome a warrior that even after his death, enemies of his royal household could be put to flight simply by the sight of this shield.^[13] He bequeathed his kingdom to Acrisius and Proetus, bidding them to rule alternately, but they quarrelled even while they still shared their mother's womb.

Argive genealogy

Argive genealogy in Greek mythology

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Inachus Melia Zeus Io Phoroneus Epaphus Memphis Libya Poseidon Belus Achiroë Agenor Telephassa Danaus Elephantis Aegyptus Cadmus Cilix Europa Phoenix Mantineus Hypermnestra Lynceus Harmonia Zeus Polydorus Sparta Lacedaemon Ocalea Abas Agave Sarpedon Rhadamanthus Autonoë Eurydice Acrisius Ino Minos Zeus Danaë Semele Zeus Perseus Dionysus

Colour key:   Male   Female   Deity