Biographical dictionary of ancient Greeks

< Althaemenes, son of Catreus >

1 Origin

Althaemenes was born in Cnossus, Crete, in 1245 BC.

Althaemenes' father was Catreus, son of Minos. [Apo.3.1.2]

2 Others

In 1225 BC, Althaemenes emigrated from Crete to Rhodes. [Apo.3.2.1]

Althaemenes called the place where he landed Cretinia. [Apo.3.2.1]

In another tradition, Althaemenes landed at Cameirus. [Diod.5.59.3]

It is likely that Cameirus was uninhabited after it was founded in 1389 BC. [Diod.5.57.8, Strabo.14.2.8]

Althaemenes built an altar of Zeus on Mount Atabyris, the highest mountain in Rhodes. [Apo.3.2.1]

Zeus of Atabyris became so famous that he was even mentioned in a poem by Pindar. [Pind.Ol.7.70]

It is said that Althaemenes' homeland, Crete, could be seen from Mount Atabyris. [Apo.3.2.1]

It is believed that Althaemenes was driven out of Crete and migrated to Rhodes in a group.

< Althaemenes, son of Ceisus >

1 Origin

Althaemenes was born in Argos in 1100 BC.

Althaemenes' father was Ceisus (or Cissius, Cissus), son of Temenus. [Paus.2.5.7]

2 Others

In 1070 BC, Althaemenes led the Dorians and Pelasgians from Argos to colonize Crete. [Photios.186.47, Strabo.14.2.6]

The historian Ephorus, who lived in the 4th century BC, reports that the Dorians led by Althaemenes founded 10 cities in Crete. [Strabo.10.4.15]

Althaemenes himself emigrated to Rhodes and founded Lindus, Ialysos, and Kameiros. [Photios.186.36, 47]

Cleobulus of Lindus on Rhodes, one of the seven wise men of Greece, is presumed to be a descendant of Althaemenes. [Diogenes.1.89, Paus.10.24.1]

Create:2025.3.21, Update:2025.3.25