Proteus of Egypt
Proteus was an ancient Egyptian king who was associated with the island of Pharos, his residence in Homer's Odyssey. Virgil, however, instead of Pharos, mentions the island of Carpathos, between Crete and Rhodes.[1] This Greek island is the closest to Pharos geographically.
Etymology
The name of Pharos may be a Greek adaptation of the title Pharaoh. Also, 'Proteus' may be based on one of the titles of Egyptian king, Prouti, signifying the "high doors" of the temple.[2]
Proteus also seems to have been associated with Thrace, and legends portray him as coming from Thrace to Egypt, or as going from Egypt to Thrace.[3]
There's also some sort of association of Proteus with the island of Lemnos, close to Thrace.
Alternate story of Helen
Proteus was known for his involvement in an alternate version of the story of Helen of Troy.
In book II of The History by Greek historian Herodotus, Proteus is said to be from Memphis, succeeded Pheron to the throne, and was succeeded by Rhampsinitus (Ramesses III, as he was known by the Egyptians). When Paris took Helen from Sparta, wind took him off course to Egypt. While there his slaves deserted him and told the authorities what Paris had done. Word of his crimes reached Proteus, who then took Helen and seized the treasure Paris had stolen from Menelaus, intending to return her and the treasure to Menelaus when he arrived. The Trojans are unable to prove to the Greeks that they do not have Helen, and it is not until Troy is defeated that they are believed. Menelaus then goes to Egypt; he is treated well by the court of Proteus, and is reunited with Helen. However, upon his departure Menelaus sacrifices some native children and becomes hated by the Egyptians.
Herodotus also makes references to Homer's Iliad and Odyssey, claiming Homer must have been aware of this version of events despite using the more common story.
Tragedy by Euripides
Another take on this story is presented in the tragedy Helen by Euripides. In Euripides' version, Hera had Helen taken to Egypt by Hermes, and she created a phantom replacement of Helen which Paris takes to Troy. The play takes place when Menelaus arrives at Egypt after the war. Here Proteus had safeguarded Helen throughout the Trojan War, but is dead before the play begins. It opens with Helen visiting his tomb. According to Euripides, Proteus was married to the Nereid Psamathe, had a son Theoclymenos, and a daughter Theonoe who was a gifted seer. Theoclymenos became the new king of Egypt after Proteus and had intentions of marrying Helen.
See also
Notes
- ↑ Georgics iv. 387; compare to Homer's Iliad ii. 676
- ↑ Anne Burton, Diodorus Siculus, Book 1: A Commentary. BRILL, 1973. ISBN 9004035141
- ↑ Proteus, Theoi Project
References
- Euripides, Euripides II: The Cyclops and Heracles, Iphigenia in Tauris, Helen (The Complete Greek Tragedies) (Vol 4), University Of Chicago Press; 1 edition (April 15, 2002). ISBN 978-0-226-30781-7.
- Herodotus; Histories, A. D. Godley (translator), Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1920; ISBN 0-674-99133-8. Online version at the Perseus Digital Library.