General Notes

[FAMILY.FTW]

ASTYPALAEA was a daughter of Phoenix and Perimede, the daughter of Oeneus. She was also called sister to Europa, and her name was given by some as Alta. Phoenix settled in the country that later would be called Phoenicia for him. Astypalaea was one of Poseidon's amatory conquests, and with him one can never be sure whether the liaison was willingly entered into or forced. In the few cases in which more than one child resulted, it was probably by mutual agreement. Astypalaea was the mother of Ancaeus and Eurypylus by the god. She was also rewarded by having the island of Astypalaea named for her, and her sons were treated favorably as well. Ancaeus became king of the Leleges in Samos and produced several sons. Eurypylus became king of Cos and fared well until he was killed by Heracles, who was attacked by the inhabitants under the misapprehension he was a pirate. In fact, another account says he was, since he attacked the island in order to obtain possession of Chalciope, the daughter of Eurypylus. [Apollodorus 2.7.1,8; Pausanias 7.4.2; Apollonius Rhodius 2.866; Hyginus, Fables 178; Scholiast on Pindar's Nemean Odes 4.40.]