Epaphus
Son of Zeus and founder of Memphis, Egypt.
Epaphus, also called Apis or Munantius, was a son of Zeus in Greek mythology and became king of Egypt. He is regarded as the founder of Memphis, Egypt.
Quick Facts
- Also known as
- Apis, Munantius
- Parents
- Zeus and Io
- Spouse
- Memphis (or Cassiopeia)
- Children
- Libya
- Lysianassa
- Dorus (in some accounts)
- Founded
- Memphis, Egypt
- Meaning of name
- Touch
Facts from the source article.
Family
Epaphus was the son of Zeus and Io, and brother of Ceroessa. With his wife Memphis (or Cassiopeia), he fathered Libya and possibly Lysianassa. These daughters became mothers of Poseidon's sons Belus, Agenor, and Lelex, while Busiris was born to Lysianassa. Through them, Epaphus was ancestor of the dark Libyans, Aethiopians, Underground-folk, and Pygmies. In one account, his son Dorus fathered Pygmaeus, ancestor of the Pygmies; otherwise, the Pygmies were born from Epaphus and Gaea.
Mythology
The name Epaphus means "Touch," referring to his conception by the touch of Zeus's hand. He was born in Euboea in the cave Boösaule, or according to others in Egypt on the Nile, after his mother's wanderings. Hera had him concealed by the Curetes, but Io found him in Syria, nursed by the wife of the king of Byblus. Epaphus was a contemporary and rival of Phaethon, son of Helios and Clymene; he criticized Phaethon's parentage, prompting Phaethon's fateful journey in the sun chariot. Hera, envious that Zeus's bastard ruled such a kingdom, had Epaphus killed while hunting. David Rohl identifies Epaphus with the Hyksos pharaoh Apophis, though this chronology is rejected by most Egyptologists.
More in Mythological Founders of Populated Places
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced