Amyclas

Amyclas was a legendary king and the founder of Amyclae in Laconia, Greece. Accounts of his parentage vary. Some sources claim he was the son of Lacedaemon, himself a son of Zeus and Taygete, making Amyclas a grandson of Lacedaemon. Others state he was the son of Pelops and Hippodamia. He is typically considered a pre-Dorian ruler of the region.

Amyclas is primarily known for his founding of the city of Amyclae, located near Sparta. Amyclae became an important center of Mycenaean culture and was eventually absorbed by Sparta. The name "Amyclae" is believed to be derived from his name.

He is associated with several figures in Greek mythology, including Hyacinthus, with whom Apollo had a tragic love affair. Hyacinthus's tomb and the subsequent Hyacinthia festival were located in Amyclae, demonstrating the city's religious significance and association with Amyclas's lineage.

Amyclas is also sometimes linked to the genealogy of figures prominent in Laconian myths. His descendants are said to include Argalus, Cynortas, Hyacinthus, and Leaneira, all of whom play roles in the history and mythology of the region.

The story of Amyclas provides a link between the pre-Dorian Mycenaean period and the later Spartan state, highlighting the complex cultural and mythical history of Laconia. His legacy endures through the ruins of Amyclae and the myths connected to the location and its subsequent integration into Spartan territory.