In Greek mythology, Cecrops II (; Ancient Greek: Κέκροψ, Kékrops; gen.: Κέκροπος) was the legendary or semi-legendary seventh king of Athens and in whose reign the deeds of Dionysus and Perseus occurred.[1]
Family
Cecrops was the son of Pandion I, king of Athens[2][3] and possibly the naiad Zeuxippe, and thus brother to Erechtheus, Butes, Procne, Philomela and Teuthras.[4] In some accounts, his parents were identified to be King Erechtheus and the naiad Praxithea and thus he was brother to Pandorus, Metion,[5] Protogeneia, Pandora, Procris, Creusa, Orithyia and Chthonia.[6] His other possible siblings were Orneus,[7] Thespius,[8] Eupalamus,[9] Sicyon[10] and Merope.[11]
Cecrops married Metiadusa, daughter of Eupalamus (his brother[9] or a son of Metion[12]), by whom he became the father of his heir, Pandion II.[13]
Mythology
After Poseidon having destroyed Erechtheus and his house during the war between Athens and Eleusis, Cecrops being the eldest of the dead king's children, succeeded to the throne.[12] He was chosen by the appointed judge Xuthus, his brother-in-law, who was accordingly banished from the land by the rest of the sons of Erechtheus.[14]
After ruling for 40 years,[15] he was ousted by Metion and Pandorus, and fled to Aegilia or Aegialea where he would die.[citation needed]
Cecrops was succeeded in Athens by his son Pandion II (though Pandion II has also been said to be his nephew, the son of Erechtheus[citation needed]).
