Cyzicus (mythology)

Family

Cyzicus was the son of Aeneus and Aenete, also called Aenippe, who was Eusorus's daughter, or of Euantheia; some sources name Eusorus as his father. A Thessalian migrant, he hosted the Argonauts. Aeneus was Apollo's son by Stilbe, daughter of the Thessalian River Peneus. Cyzicus married Cleite, daughter of Merops of Percote, or alternatively Larissa, daughter of Piasus.

Mythology

After leaving Lemnos, the Argonauts landed on the island of the Doliones, where King Cyzicus welcomed them with generous hospitality. A storm later drove the Argonauts back to the Cyzicene coast at night. Neither party recognized the other, and each mistook the other for an enemy: the Doliones believed the Argonauts were a Pelasgian army that constantly harassed them. The god Pan, fulfilling the cruel commands of the Mygdonian Mother (Cybele), drove the city into confusion.

In the ensuing battle, the Argonauts killed many Dolionians, including King Cyzicus, who was slain by either Jason or Heracles. The incident had been arranged by the gods Cybele, Pan, and Bellona because Cybele sought revenge for Cyzicus killing one of her lions. According to Valerius Flaccus, Cyzicus had slain a lion that bore Cybele through Phrygian cities and hung its mane and head as a trophy, angering the goddess. At dawn, the Argonauts realized their tragic mistake and granted Cyzicus an elaborate burial.

They lamented for three days, tore out their hair, raised a mound over his grave, marched around it thrice in armor, performed funeral rites, and celebrated games in his honor. The mound remained visible in later days, and the people of Cyzicus continued to pour libations at it every year.