Nycteus

Nycteus ( gr Νυκτεύς ) In Greek mythology, a king of Thebes.

Genealogy

The Libraries of Apollodorus makes two different indication of the origin of the Nycteus, once he calls Chthonios, a division as a father, other times he refers to him as the son of Hyrieus and Klonia. Other give Poseidon and Kelaino as parents. His brother was Lykos. Nycteus was married to Polyxo and had two daughters, Nykteis and Antiope. Asius of Samos described the nymph Callisto, the daughter of Nycteus.

Government of Thebes

Nykteis married Polydorus, king of Thebes. As Polydorus died, his son was still a minor and Labdacus Nycteus took over as guardian the government. His beautiful daughter of Zeus and Antiope was pregnant for fear of her father she fled to Sicyon and married the king Epopeus. Because of this disgrace to Nycteus took his own life after he had granted to his brother and successor, Lycus the order to retrieve Antiope. Lykos conquered Sicyon, killed Epopeus and led Antiope home.

According to another source Antiope was kidnapped by Epopeus and therefore led Nycteus against Sicyon war. In the fight both Nycteus and Epopeus were so badly wounded that they soon died out. Nycteus asked his brother to conquer Sicyon and free Antiope. To this end, it did not come, because Lamedon, the successor of Epopeus, Antiope returned voluntarily.

Swell

• Mythological king ( Thebes)