Nisos was one of the four sons of
Pandion II, King of
Athens, and
Pylia, daughter of King
Pylas of Megara. He was the brother of
Aegeas,
Pallas,
Lykos[1] and the wife of
Sciron.[2] According to
Hyginus, Nisus's father was the god Ares[3] while other authors affirmed that he was the offspring of
Deion.[4]
Nisos was married to
Abrota, sister of
Megareus, and when she died, Nisos commanded that the Megarian women should wear clothes like she had.[5] His daughter
Eurynome, with
Poseidon, had the famous son
Bellerophon.[6] The second daughter
Iphinoe married Megareus, her maternal uncle.[7] Lastly, the third princess
Scylla was responsible for Nisos' death.[4]
Mythology
Early days
Metion, the uncle of Nisos, had seized the throne from Pandion II. However, upon their father's death, Nisos and his brothers returned to Athens and took back control. They drove out the sons of Metion, put Aegeus on the throne, and divided the government in four. Aegeas became king of Athens, and Nisos the King of Megara.[8]
War with Minos
Minos, King of
Crete, attacked Nisos's kingdom during a war with Athens over the death of his son
Androgeus. Nisos however had a lock of purple hair that kept him safe from harm.[9]Eros caused his daughter
Scylla to fall in love with Minos.[10] In one version, Minos tempts Scylla with a golden necklace to betray and kill her father.[11] In another version, she fell in love with Minos from a distance, and after cutting off the purple lock, she presented it to Minos. However, Minos was disgusted with her act, calling her a disgrace. As Minos's ships set sail, Scylla attempted to climb up one of them. But Nisos, who had turned into a
sea eagle or
osprey, attacked her. His daughter transformed into a bird as well. There is also a version with Ares.[12] According to another account Nisos killed himself when he lost his vital lock of hair.[13]
Hesiod, Catalogue of Women from Homeric Hymns, Epic Cycle, Homerica translated by Evelyn-White, H G. Loeb Classical Library Volume 57. London: William Heinemann, 1914.
Online version at theio.com