Phorbas

For the sponge genus, see Phorbas (sponge).

In Greek mythology, Phorbas (/ˈfɔːrbəs/; Ancient Greek: Φόρβας Phórbās, gen. Φόρβαντος Phórbantos means 'giving pasture'), or Phorbaceus^{[citation needed]} /fɔːrˈbeɪˌʃ(j)uːs/, may refer to:

• Phorbas, son of Lapithes and Orsinome, and a brother of Periphas.^[1]
• Phorbas, son of Triopas and Hiscilla, daughter of Myrmidon.^[2]
• Phorbas, king of Argos, father of a different Triopas who succeeded him as king. Triopas was the brother of Arestor^[3]
• Phorbas, a shepherd of King Laius, who found the infant Oedipus on the hillside and ensured his survival to fulfill his destiny.^[4] A number of sculptures, ranging from the 14th to the 19th century, memorialize Phorbas' rescue of Oedipus. He might be the same as Phorbas, attendant of Antigone.^[5]
• Phorbas, listed as a king or archon of Athens^[6]
• Phorbas of Lesbos, father of Diomede^[7]
• Phorbas of Troy, who was favored and made rich by Hermes. He had a son Ilioneus, who was killed by Peneleos.^[8]
• Phorbas, son of Metion of Syene, who fought on Phineus' side against Perseus^[9]
• Phorbas of Acarnania, son of Poseidon, who went to Eleusis together with Eumolpus to fight against Erechtheus, and was killed by the opponent.^[10]
• Phorbas, one of the twelve younger Panes^[11]
• Phorbas, son of Helios and father of Ambracia (eponym of the city of Ambracia). Ambracia could also have been daughter of Augeas, granddaughter of Phorbas of Thessaly.^[12]
• Phorbas, who is called father of Tiresias by the Cretans^[13]
• Phorbas, charioteer of Theseus^[14]
• Phorbas, father of Dexithea who, according to one version, was the mother of Romulus and Remus by Aeneas^[15]
• Phorbas, suitor of Megara, mother of Ixion in one source. Together with another suitor, Polymelos, they slain Megara and, in vengeance, were murdered by the latter’s son.^[16]

The child Œdipus brought back to life by the shepherd Phorbas, who took him off the tree. Sculpture by Charles Dupaty.

See also

• Phorbus (mythology)