Leucippus of Messenia

In Greek mythology, Leucippus (Ancient Greek: Λεύκιππος Leukippos) was a Messenian prince. The Boeotian town of Leuctra is said to have derived its name from him.

Roman sarcophagus with Castor and Pollux seizing the daughters of Leucippus, c. 160 CE.

"The Rape of the Daughters of Leucippus" by Rubens.

Family

Leucippus was the son of Gorgophone and Perieres and brother of Aphareus. He was the father of two Leucippides: Phoebe and Hilaera, and also of Arsinoe, mother of Asclepius[1] and Eriopis begotten by the god Apollo.[2][3] These three daughters were borne by his wife Philodice, daughter of Inachus.[4]

Mythology

It is said that Leucippus together with his brother Aphareus inherited their father's kingdom upon his death, but the latter kept the greater authority than the former.[5]

Castor and Polydeuces abducted and married Leucippus' daughters, Phoebe and Hilaera. In return, Idas and Lynceus, nephews of Leucippus and rival suitors, killed Castor. Polydeuces was granted immortality by Zeus, and further persuaded Zeus to share his gift with Castor.[6]

Notes

1. Pseudo-Apollodorus, Bibliotheca 3.10.3
2. Hesiod, Ehoiai fr. 63
3. Scholiast on Pindar, Pythian Ode 3.14
4. Tzetzes on Lycophron, Alexandria 511
5. Pausanias, Graeciae Descriptio 4.2.4-6
6. Ovid, Metamorphoses 8.306

References

• Harry Thurston Peck. Harpers Dictionary of Classical Antiquities (1898) s.v. Leucippus. New York. Harper and Brothers. 1898.
• Hesiod, Catalogue of Women from Homeric Hymns, Epic Cycle, Homerica translated by Evelyn-White, H G. Loeb Classical Library Volume 57. London: William Heinemann, 1914. Online version at theio.com
• Pausanias, Description of Greece with an English Translation by W.H.S. Jones, Litt.D., and H.A. Ormerod, M.A., in 4 Volumes. Cambridge, MA, Harvard University Press; London, William Heinemann Ltd. 1918. Online version at the Perseus Digital Library
• Pausanias, Graeciae Descriptio. 3 vols. Leipzig, Teubner. 1903. Greek text available at the Perseus Digital Library.
• Pseudo-Apollodorus, The Library with an English Translation by Sir James George Frazer, F.B.A., F.R.S. in 2 Volumes, Cambridge, MA, Harvard University Press; London, William Heinemann Ltd. 1921. Online version at the Perseus Digital Library. Greek text available from the same website.
• Publius Ovidius Naso, Metamorphoses translated by Brookes More (1859-1942). Boston, Cornhill Publishing Co. 1922. Online version at the Perseus Digital Library.
• Publius Ovidius Naso, Metamorphoses. Hugo Magnus. Gotha (Germany). Friedr. Andr. Perthes. 1892. Latin text available at the Perseus Digital Library.
• William Smith. A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology s.v. Leucippus. London. John Murray (1848).