< Menestheus, son of Peteus >

1 Origin

Menestheus was born in Stiris, Phocis, in 1261 BC.

Menestheus' father was Peteus.

Peteus' father was Orneus, son of Pandion, the 8th king of Athens.

2 Others

2.1 Enthroned King Athens

In 1209 BC, Menestheus became king of Athens, expelling Aegeus' son Theseus and Theseus' sons Demophon and Acamas.

Many historical sources say that the Dioscuri (Castor and Polydeuces, sons of Tyndareus) were involved in Menestheus' seizure of power.

However, there is no blood relationship between Menestheus and the Dioscuri.

Theseus and the Dioscuri were connected as follows.

1) Pittheus, father of Theseus' mother Aethra, was the son of Pelops.

2) Gorgophone, the mother of Tyndareus, the father of the Dioscuri, was the daughter of Perseus.

3) Perseus' three sons married the daughters of Pelops.

In other words, Theseus' grandfather and the Dioscuri's grandmother were step-siblings.

In fact, it is believed that the Dioscuri, who came to Athens to bring back Helen, were used by Menestheus, who was plotting to seize power while Theseus was away.

2.2 Expulsion from Athens

Tradition has it that Menestheus took part in the expedition to Troy.

But Menestheus became king of Athens after banishing Aegeus' son Theseus and his sons Demophon and Acamas, and there was a fear that he would retake the throne.

In 1186 BC, Menestheus was exiled by Theseus' sons who returned to Athens from Euboea.

Menestheus fled to Melos and died on that island.