Neleus (Ancient Greek: Νηλεύς) was the son of Poseidon and Tyro, wife of Cretheus. He was the brother of Pelias and half-brother of Aeson, Pheres and Amythaon. Through his son Nestor he became the ancestor of the Neleid rulers of Athens.
Mythology[]
As Tyro's sons with Poseidon were born out of wedlock, she exposed them on a mountain, but they were found and raised by a maid.
When they reached adulthood, Pelias and Neleus found their mother Tyro and then killed her stepmother, Sidero, for having mistreated her. Sidero tried to hide in a temple to Hera but Pelias killed her anyway, causing Hera's undying hatred of Pelias. Neleus and Pelias fought for the crown of Iolcus, and Neleus was banished to Messenia, There he was welcomed by his cousin Aphareus who gave him the maritime part of the land where he settled and established his palace. Neleus eventually became the King of Pylos.
When Heracles came to Pylos, he approached Neleus and asked him to absolve the hero of his blood-debt of killing his family. Neleus refused and, in rage, Heracles killed all the family but Nestor, who succeeded his father to the throne.
Family[]
Neleus was the son of Poseidon and Tyro, and brother of Pelias. According to Pausanias, Neleus was the son of Cretheus, King of Iolcus, who was himself a son of Aeolus.
With his wife Chloris he had four children, Pero, wife of Bias, king of one third of Argos and her cousin, Pericylmenus, a son gifted with the ability to shapeshift by his grandfather, Alastor and Nestor.
Neleus was also the father of Chomius, Asterius, Deimachus, Epilaus, Eurybius, Eurymenes, Evagoras, Phrasius, Pylaon, and Taurus. Some say that Chloris was mother only of three of Neleus' sons (Nestor, Periclymenus and Chromius), whereas the rest were his children by different women, but other accounts explicitly disagree with the statement. Otherwise, the mother of Nestor was called Polymede.
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Preceded by: None (Title Created) |
King of Pylos Mythic |
Succeeded by Nestor |
External Links[]
- Neleus at Greek Mythology Link