Cligenes

Cligenes refers to a little-known, fragmented Greek myth relating to a mortal skilled in woodcraft and craftsmanship. Sources are scant and often contradictory, making a definitive account difficult to establish.

The primary reference to Cligenes appears in scattered allusions within later Roman and Byzantine texts, primarily in commentaries on more established mythological figures. These references suggest Cligenes was famed for his intricate wooden carvings and the creation of lifelike automatons. He is sometimes described as a contemporary of Daedalus, although there is no direct mention of interaction between the two.

Some accounts imply Cligenes possessed divine patronage, possibly from Hephaestus, the god of fire, metalworking, and craftsmanship. However, this association is not consistently maintained across all sources.

The ultimate fate of Cligenes is uncertain. Some narratives suggest he was deified after his death due to his extraordinary skills, becoming a minor deity associated with craftsmanship and artistry. Other accounts claim he was killed by rivals envious of his talent or suffered a tragic accident involving one of his own creations. Due to the lack of cohesive source material, a single, authoritative version of Cligenes' story cannot be definitively established. His existence remains largely within the realm of obscure mythological fragments.