In Greek mythology, Pandareus (Ancient Greek: Πανδάρεως) was the son of Merops and a nymph. His residence was given as either Ephesus[1] or Miletus.[2] He was said to have been favored by Demeter, who conferred upon him the benefit of never suffering from indigestion, however much food he should eat.[1] At the request of his impious friend, Tantalus, Pandareus stole a bronze (or golden) dog from a temple to Zeus on Crete (the dog, created by Rhea, had guarded Zeus during his infancy). According to various sources, he was either turned to stone[3] or fled to Sicily, where he perished together with his wife Harmothoë.[4]
Pandareus was the father of Aedon (wife of Zethus), Chelidonis, Cleodora (or Cleothera) and Merope;[1][5] according to Pausanias, the last two were called Cameiro and Clytia.[2] After the death of their parents, Aphrodite took care of Cleodora and Merope, Hera taught them to be proper women, and Athena made them accomplished; but when Aphrodite went to see Zeus to get them married, storm winds carried them away to become handmaidens of the furies.[6]
References
Sources
- William Smith, Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology, v. 3, page 109
- Homer. The Odyssey, Book XIX, in The Iliad & The Odyssey. Trans. Samuel Butler. pp. 676–7. ISBN 978-1-4351-1043-4