Phoroneus

Phoroneus was the primordial king of the city of Argos in Greek mythology, and a hero of the area. He was the son of the river god Inachus and either Melia, the ash-tree nymph, or Argia, the personification of the region of Argolid. He was the person that gathered the people of the area into a community, and then taught them how to create a fire and how to use the forge.

A number of different women have been named as Phoroneus' wife, including Perimide, Teledice, Peitho and Europa. Niobe is often linked to him, either as his mother, his daughter or his wife. According to a source, he had three sons; Agenor, Jasus, and Pelasgus. After the death of Phoroneus, Jasus and Pelasgus divided his kingdom in two; Pelasgus founded and became the ruler of the city of Larissa, while Jasus ruled over Elis. After their death, Agenor invaded both regions and ruled over them.

See Also: Inachus, Niobe