< Oecles, son of Mantius >

1 Origin

Oecles (or Oicles, Oecleus) was born in Argos in 1282 BC.

Oecles' father was Mantius (or Antiphates), son of Melampus. [Diod.4.68.5, Paus.6.17.6]

Oecles' mother was Zeuxippe, daughter of Hippocoon. [Diod.4.68.5]

2 Family

Oecles married Hypermnestra, daughter of Thestius. [Diod.4.68.5, Hyginus.70, Paus.6.17.6]

Oecles and Hypermnestra had a son, Amphiaraus. [Home.Od.15.220, Hyginus.70, Paus.6.17.6, Diod.4.68.5]

Oecles and Hypermnestra had two daughters, Iphianeira and Polyboea. [Diod.4.68.5]

3 Others

3.1 Migration to Calydon

In 1264 BC, Mantius was driven out of Argos by his brother Abas and emigrated to Oeneus in Calydon, Aetolia. [See Mantius]

3.2 Marriage with Hypermnestra

Oecles married Hypermnestra, daughter of Thestius, who lived in Pleuron, Aetolia. [Diod.4.68.5, Hyginus.70, Paus.6.17.6]

Thestius was the son of Pleuron, brother of Calydon, husband of Mantius' aunt Aeolia.

In other words, Oecles and Hypermnestra were second cousins.

3.3 Return to Argos

In 1247 BC, Oecles returned to Argos from Aetolia with his father. [See Mantius]

3.4 Death of Oecles

According to legend, Oecles was killed by Laomedon when he and Heracles marched to the Troad. [Apo.2.6.4, Diod.4.32.3]

However, the tomb of Oecles, the father of Amphiaraus, was in Arcadia. [Paus.8.36.6]

It is assumed that Oecles participated in the attack on Elis led by Heracles together with his son Amphiaraus, died of illness during the battle, and was buried in Arcadia.

The Argives also participated in Heracles' attack on Elis. [Paus.5.3.1]