Pelasgus
Family: Argive · Role: son of Arcas · First appears: Book 1 · Chapter 14
When Demeter came to Argos, Pelasgus received her into his house. He later built her temple, which was called Pelasgian because “Pelasgus the son of Triopas built it.”
In Arcadia, Pelasgus was said to be the first settler and was appointed king over the Arcadians. As king, he devised huts and garments of pigskin for protection from the weather, taught people which plants and roots were unsafe to eat, and discovered that acorns and other tree fruits could be eaten. During his reign, Arcadia was called Pelasgia.
Pelasgus is also named as the son of Arcas. His daughter Larissa gave her name to the citadel; Lycaon was his son, and Temenus is likewise called his son.
Relationship record
Life events
- Pelasgus received Demeter into his house when she came to Argos.(Book 1 · Chapter 14 · 📍 Argos)
- With: Demeter
- “when Demeter came to Argos Pelasgus received her into his house”
- Pelasgus built the temple of Demeter, which became known as Pelasgian.(Book 2 · Chapter 22)
- With: Demeter
- “the temple of Demeter, surnamed Pelasgian because Pelasgus the son of Triopas built it”
- Pelasgus became the first settler in Arcadia.(Book 8 · Chapter 1 · 📍 Arcadia)
- “The Arcadians say that Pelasgus was the first settler in their land.”
- Pelasgus was appointed king over the Arcadians.(Book 8 · Chapter 1 · 📍 Arcadia)
- “I think moreover that Pelasgus was eminent for strength and beauty and judgment beyond others, and that was why he was appointed king over them.”
- Pelasgus introduced huts, protective garments, and shelter from the elements.(Book 8 · Chapter 1 · 📍 Arcadia)
- “And Pelasgus when he became king contrived huts that men should be free from cold and rain, and not be exposed to the fierce sun, and also garments made of the hides of pigs, such as the poor now use in Eubœa and Phocis.”
- Pelasgus taught people which plants and roots were safe to eat.(Book 8 · Chapter 1 · 📍 Arcadia)
- “He too taught people to abstain from green leaves and grass and roots that were not good to eat, some even deadly to those who eat them.”
- Pelasgus discovered that acorns and other tree fruits were edible.(Book 8 · Chapter 1 · 📍 Arcadia)
- “He discovered also that the fruit of some trees was good, especially acorns.”
- Arcadia acquired the name Pelasgia.(Book 8 · Chapter 1 · 📍 Arcadia)
- “And it was they say during the reign of Pelasgus that Arcadia was called Pelasgia.”
Book 1 · Chapter 14
- with Demeter (Hospitality.) “The story goes then that when Demeter came to Argos Pelasgus received her into his house”
Book 2 · Chapter 14
- parent: Arcas “and lived three generations earlier than Pelasgus the son of Arcas”
- with Aras (Aras lived three generations earlier than Pelasgus) “and lived three generations earlier than Pelasgus the son of Arcas”
Book 2 · Chapter 22
- parent: Triopas “Pelasgus the son of Triopas built it”
- with Demeter (Pelasgus built Demeter's temple.) “Pelasgus the son of Triopas built it”
Book 2 · Chapter 24
- child: Larissa “And the citadel they call Larissa from the daughter of Pelasgus, and”
Book 8 · Chapter 1
- with Asius (Asius describes Pelasgus.) “This is the description of him by Asius.”
Book 8 · Chapter 2
- child: Lycaon “And Lycaon the son of Pelasgus devised even wiser things than his father.”
Book 8 · Chapter 22
- child: Temenus (son of Pelasgus) “Temenus the son of Pelasgus”
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Extracted from the original text of Pausanias' Description of Greece. Made with Rho MD.