Galaxy/The codex of Gorgophonus

In Greek mythology, Gorgophonus (Ancient Greek: Γοργόφονος, "Gorgon-slayer") was one of the nine legitimate sons of Electryon, king of Mycenae, by Anaxo. He fell with his brothers when they met the sons of Pterelaus in the fight over stolen Taphian cattle — before Amphitryon's accidental killing of Electryon opened the throne to Sthenelus.

Adapted from Wikipedia, "Electryon" · CC BY-SA 4.0

I.Son of Electryon

Apollodorus catalogues Electryon's sons by Anaxo: Stratobates, Gorgophonus, Phylonomus, Celaeneus, Amphimachus, Lysinomus, Chirimachus, Anactor, and Archelaus. Gorgophonus stands second in that roll — a Mycenaean prince of the Perseid house, brother of Alcmena, through whom the line would pass to Heracles.

The Taphian raid ended the male legitimate line at a stroke: Electryon's sons challenged the sons of Pterelaus over the stolen cattle and the two broods slew one another. Only Licymnius, Electryon's bastard by the Phrygian Midea, survived among the king's sons.

II.Homonyms

This atlas entry (gorgophonus-electryonid) is Electryon's son. The name echoes Gorgophone (gorgophone), Perseus' daughter and Electryon's sister, wife of Perieres — a distinct Perseid princess, not this fallen prince. Not to be confused with Amphimachus the Epeian captain or other Amphimachus homonyms sharing the Electryonid brother-list.

AT A GLANCE

Greek nameGorgophonus (Γοργόφονος)
Typemortal
Domainsson of Electryon · fallen at the Taphian cattle-fight
ParentageElectryon · Anaxo
EtymologyFrom Γοργώ / Γοργόν and φόνος — "Gorgon-slayer," echoing the epithet of his uncle Perseus but naming a distinct Electryonid.
READ MOREWikipedia