| Greek Name |
Transliteration |
Latin Spelling |
Translation |
| Drakwn KucreidhV |
Drakôn Kykhreidês |
Draco Cychreides |
Dragon of Cychreus |
KYKHREIDES was a Drakon which plagued the island of Salamis until it was driven away by the hero Kykhreus. The monster fled to Eleusis where the goddess Demeter made it her companion.
| PARENTS |
| Probably GAIA, though nowhere stated |
ENCYCLOPEDIA
CYCHREUS or CENCHREUS (Kuchreus), a son of Poseidon and Salamis, became king of the island of Salamis, which was called after him Cychreia, and which he delivered from a dragon. He was subsequently honoured as a hero, and had a sanctuary in Salamis. (Apollod. iii. 12. § 7; Diod. iv. 72.) According to other traditions, Cychreus himself was called a dragon on account of his savage nature, and was expelled from Salamis by Eurylochus; but he was received by Demeter at Eleusis, and appointed a priest to her temple. (Steph. Byz. s. v. Kuchreios.) Others again said that Cychreus had brought up a dragon, which was expelled by Eurylochus. (Strab. ix. p. 393.) There was a tradition that, while the battle of Salamis was going on, a dragon appeared in one of the Athenian ships, and that an oracle declared this dragon to be Cychreus. (Paus. i. 36. § 1; comp. Tzetz. ad Lycoph. 110, 175; Plut. Thes. 10, Solon. 9.)
Source: Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology.
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Pseudo-Apollodorus, Bibliotheca 3. 161 (trans. Aldrich) (Greek mythographer C2nd A.D.) :
"Kykhreus had become king [of the island of Salamis] by killing a Serpent which was preying on the island."
Strabo, Geography 9. 1. 9 (trans. Jones) (Greek geographer C1st B.C. to C1st A.D.) :
"And it is from the hero [Kykhreus] that the serpent Kykhreides took its name--the serpent which, according to Hesiodos, was fostered by Kychreus [on Salamis] and driven out by Eurylokhos because it was damaging the island, and was welcomed to Eleusis by Demeter and made her attendant."
Diodorus Siculus, Library of History 4. 72. 4 (trans. Oldfather) (Greek historian C1st B.C.) :
"Kykhreus became king of this island [Salamis] and acquired fame by reason of his slaying a Snake of huge size which was destroying the inhabitants of the island." - Diodorus Siculus, Library of History 4.72.1-5
Sources:
- Apollodorus, The Library - Greek Mythography C2nd A.D.
- Strabo, Geography - Greek Geography C1st B.C. - C1st A.D.
- Diodorus Siculus, The Library of History - Greek History C1st B.C.
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