InGreek mythology, Phorbas[pronunciation?] (Ancient Greek: Φόρβας, gen. Φόρβαντος) or Phorbaceus[pronunciation?] was a Thessalian prince and hero of the island of Rhodes. He was sometimes confounded with the Phlegyan Phorbas.[1]
Phorbas | |
---|---|
Prince of Thessaly | |
Member of the Thessalian Royal Family | |
Other names | Phorbaceus |
Abode | Thessaly |
Genealogy | |
Parents | Triopas and Hiscilla |
Siblings | Erysichthon and Iphimedeia |
Consort | unknown |
Children | ?Pellen |
Phorbas was the son of Triopas[2] and Hiscilla, daughter of Myrmidon,[3] and thus brother to Erysichthon[4] and Iphimedia, mother of the Aloads.[5] He was probably the Phorbas who was identified as the father of Pelles,[6] founder of Achaean Pellene, who fathered Hyperasius, father of the Argonauts Amphion and Asterius.[7]
When the people of the island of Rhodes fell victim to a plague of masses of serpents (may have been dragons or simply snakes), an oracle directed them to call on a man named Phorbas. Phorbas cleansed the island of the snakes and in gratitude the Rhodians venerated him as a hero. For his achievement he won a place among the stars as the constellation Serpentarius or Ophiuchus.[3]
According to an early account, before his departure, Phorbas was a rival in love of the god Apollo.[2] In a later account he was portrayed as Apollo's lover, consequently dying.[8][failed verification]
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