Phineus (son of Belus)

In Greek mythology, Phineus (/ˈfɪniəs, ˈfɪn.juːs/; Ancient Greek: Φινεύς, Ancient: [pʰiːněws]) was a son of Belus by Anchinoe and thus brother to Aegyptus, Danaus and Cepheus.[1]

For other uses, see Phineus (mythology).
Perseus turns Phineus and his followers to stone (Luca Giordano, 17th century)

Mythology

Phineus had been engaged to Cepheus' daughter Andromeda before she wed Perseus, and Phineus plotted against him, leading Perseus to turn him and his co-conspirators into stone by showing them the head of Medusa.[2] The affair appears to have formed part of Euripides' lost Andromeda,[3] but the sole extensive ancient treatment is found Ovid's Metamorphoses.[4]

In Ovid's account Perseus asked for Andromeda's hand in return for saving the girl from the sea-monster Cetus to whom an oracle had ordained Andromeda be sacrificed as punishment for her mother Cassiopeia's boast that she was more beautiful than the Nereids.[5] Perseus was successful, but as he recounted his deeds to the court of Cepheus a spear-brandishing Phineus assailed him:

"en" ait, 'en adsum praereptae coniugis ultor;

nec mihi te pennae nec falsum versus in aurum Iuppiter eripiet."

"See," he shouted "See, I come here as an avenger for the carrying off of my bride.

Your wings won't help you escape me, nor even Jupiter, changed to a shower of fool's gold!"[6]

Phineus' presumed motive in marrying Andromeda was to strengthen his claim to the throne, rather than any interest in the girl herself. Cepheus scolded his brother for this outburst, pointing out that he had done nothing to help Andromeda in the crisis, but Phineus still cast his spear at Perseus. Although he missed, a fierce battle ensued in which many fell until Perseus, surrounded by the enemy, held up the head of the Gorgon, turning all but Phineus to stone. Amazed by this, Phineus pleaded for his life with his gaze averted, but Perseus approached him and held the head before his eyes, turning Phineus to stone.[7]

References
  1. Dräger (2007), Euripides fr. 881 Kannicht (cited at Bibliotheca 2. 1. 4 and Scholia to Aeschylus, Suppliants 317), Nonnus, Dionysiaca 3. 296–303.
  2. Bibliotheca 2. 4. 3.
  3. Collard & Cropp (2008, pp. 126–7).
  4. Metamorphoses 5. 1–235.
  5. Ovid, Met. 4. 663–705.
  6. Met. 5. 10–12, trans. A. S. Kline.
  7. Met. 5. 200–49

Bibliography
  • Collard, C.; Cropp, M. (2008), Euripides VII: Fragments. Aegeus–Meleager, Loeb Classical Library, Cambridge, MA, ISBN 9780674996250.
  • Dräger, P. (2007), "Phineus", in H. Cancik; H. Schneider (eds.), Brill's New Pauly: Antiquity, 11 (Phi–Prok), ISBN 9789004142169.
  • Kannicht, R. (2004), Tragicorum Graecorum Fragmenta, V, Göttingen, ISBN 3525257554.
  • Pseudo-Apollodorus, 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.
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