Cyzicus (mythology)


In Greek mythology, King Cyzicus or Kyzikos was the ruler of the Dolionians, a tribe that inhabited the southern shore of the Propontis. He gave his name to a city of the same name, Cyzicus, his capital.

Family

Cyzicus's parentage is given as Aeneus by Aenete, daughter of Eusorus; or else Eusorus is given as his father. King Cyzicus is sometimes referred to as a Thessalian migrant. The name Aeneus recalls the Thracian city of Aenus, although Aeneus is said to be the son of Apollo and Stilbe, a daughter of the Thessalian River Peneus.. His wife was Cleite, daughter of Merops of Percote, others say that she was Larissa, daughter of Piasus.

Mythology

After the departure of the Argonauts in Lemnos, they landed in the island of the Doliones of whom Cyzicus was the king. He welcomed the Argonauts on their journey to Colchis and received them with generous hospitality. But after their departure, a storm drove them back to the Cyzicene coast at night. With neither the Argonauts nor King Cyzicus recognizing one another, each mistook the other as an enemy and battle ensued. The Doliones thought they were Pelasgian army who constantly harassed them.
The Argonauts slew many of the Dolionians, among the rest was King Cyzicus who was himself killed either by Jason or Heracles. The incident had been arranged by the gods Cybele, Pan and Bellona because Cybele wanted revenge against the king for killing one of her lions. Valerius Flaccus recounts this account in the following passage:
When day broke, the Argonauts realized their tragic mistake, and granted Cyzicus an elaborate burial.
After the burial, the Argonauts handed over the kingdom to Cyzicus' sons, then sailed away and touched at Mysia. King Cyzicus left behind his young bride Cleite who hung herself after her husband's tragic death.