Sons of Aegyptus

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In Greek mythology, the Sons of Aegyptus were the fifty progeny of the king of Egypt, Aegyptus. They married their cousins, the fifty daughters of Danaus, twin brother of Aegyptus. In the most common version of the myth, they were all killed except one, Lynceus, who was saved by his wife Hypermnestra on their wedding night.

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Apollodorus

The list in the Bibliotheca [1] preserves not only the names of brides and grooms, but also those of their mothers. A lot was cast among the sons of Aegyptus to decide which of the Danaids each should marry except for those daughters born to Memphis who were joined by their namesakes, the sons of Tyria. According to Hippostratus, Aegyptus had these progeny by a single woman called Eurryroe, daughter of Nilus. [2]

Apollodorus' list of the sons of Aegyptus
Aegyptus' SonsMotherDanaidsMother of the DanaidsAegyptus' SonsMotherDanaidsMother of the Danaids
1 Lynceus Argyphia Hypermnestra Elephantis 26 Chrysippus Tyria Chrysippe Memphis
2 Proteus Gorgophone 27 Eurylochus Caliadne, a naiad Autonoe Polyxo, a naiad
3 Busiris Automate Europe 28 Phantes Theano
4 Enceladus Amymone 29 Peristhenes Electra
5 Lycus Agave 30 Hermus Cleopatra (different one)
6 Daiphron Scaea 31 Dryas Eurydice
7 Istrus Arabian woman Hippodamia Atlanteia or of Phoebe,

the Hamadryads

32 Potamon Glaucippe
8 Chalcodon Rhodia 33 Cisseus Antheleia
9 Agenor Cleopatra 34 Lixus Cleodore
10 Chaetus Asteria 35 Imbrus Evippe (different one)
11 Diocorystes Hippodamia (different one)36 Bromius Erato
12 Alces Glauce 37 Polyctor Stygne
13 Alcmenor Hippomedusa 38 Chthonius Bryce
14 Hippothous Gorge 39 Periphas Gorgo Actaea Pieria
15 Euchenor Iphimedusa 40 Oeneus Podarce
16 Hippolytus Rhode 41 Aegyptus Dioxippe
17 Agaptolemus Phoenician woman Pirene Ethiopian woman42 Menalces Adite
18 Cercetes Dorion 43 Lampus Ocypete
19 Eurydamas Phartis 44 Idmon Pylarge
20 Aegius Mnestra 45 Idas Hephaestine Hippodice Herse
21 Argius Evippe 46 Daiphron (different one) Adiante
22 Archelaus Anaxibia 47 Pandion Callidice Crino
23 Menemachus Nelo 48 Arbelus Oeme
24 Clitus Tyria Clite Memphis 49 Hyperbius Celaeno
25 Sthenelus Sthenele 50 Hippocorystes Hyperippe

Hyginus

Gaius Julius Hyginus' list is partially corrupt and some of the names (marked with *) are nearly illegible. Nevertheless, it is evident that this catalogue has almost nothing in common with that of Pseudo-Apollodorus. [3]

Hyginus' list of the sons of Aegyptus
Aegyptus' SonsDanaidsAegyptus' SonsDanaidsAegyptus' SonsDanaidsAegyptus' SonsDanaidsAegyptus' SonsDanaids
1AntimachusMidea11MineusMyrmidone21NiauiusGlaucippe31 Polydector Oeme41DolichusPirene
2PanthiusPhilomela12 Canthus Eurydice22PamphilusDemophile32ItonomusPolybe42HyperbiusEupheme
3 Proteus Scylla13 Asterius Cleo23ClytusAutodice33CassusHelicta43PodasimusThemistagora
4 Plexippus Amphicomone14XanthusArcadia24 Aegyptus Polyxena34HyperantusElectra44AristonoosCelaeno
5AgenorEvippe15MetalcesCleopatra25DryasHecabe35DemarchusEubule45AntiochusItea
6ChrysippusDemoditas16PhilinusPhila26EcnomiusAcamantis36PugnoDaplidice46EudaemonErato
7PeriusHyale17ProtheonHipparete27EphialtesArsalte37AndromachusHero47 Pelops Danaïs
8EnceladusTrite18Asterides Chrysothemis 28EurysthenesMonuste38AthletesEuropome48HermusCleopatra
9 Amyntor Damone19AthamasPyrante29MidanusAmymone39PlexippusPyrantis49LynceusHypermnestra
10Obrimus Hippothoe 20Armoasbus?30EvideaHelice40AntipaphusCritomedia50??

Notes

  1. Apollodorus. Bibliotheca, Book 2.1.5
  2. John Tzetzes. Chiliades, 7.37 p. 368-369 Translated by Vasiliki Dogani
  3. Hyginus, Fabulae 170

References