1. Overview
Agamedes (ἈγαμήδηςAgamēdēsGreek, Ancient) is a significant figure in Greek mythology, primarily recognized as a highly skilled architect and engineer. He is often associated with his brother, or sometimes half-brother or stepson, Trophonius. The myths surrounding Agamedes highlight his exceptional architectural accomplishments, particularly the construction of temples and royal treasuries, as well as the dramatic events that led to his ultimate demise and Trophonius's deification. His story explores themes of divine reward, cunning theft, and the transformation of mortals into deities.
2. Family
Agamedes's lineage has several variations in Greek mythology. He is most commonly cited as the son of Erginus, who was the king of Orchomenus. However, some traditions suggest he was the son of Stymphalus and the grandson of Arcas.
Regarding his immediate family, Agamedes was the father of Cercyon through his union with Epicaste. Epicaste also brought a stepson into their family, Trophonius, who was sometimes believed to be a son of the god Apollo. Other accounts propose that Agamedes himself was a son of Apollo and Epicaste, or alternatively, a son of Zeus and Iocaste, and in these versions, he was the father of Trophonius. Nevertheless, the most widespread and commonly accepted accounts portray Trophonius as Agamedes's brother. Both Agamedes and Trophonius were renowned for their extraordinary abilities in architecture and civil engineering.
3. Mythology
Agamedes's mythological narratives primarily revolve around his exceptional architectural prowess, often in collaboration with Trophonius, and the dramatic events that ultimately shaped his fate. These stories include their construction of significant buildings, cunning acts of theft, and the divine consequences that followed.
3.1. Architectural Works
Agamedes and Trophonius distinguished themselves as preeminent architects, credited with building numerous temples and palaces throughout the ancient Greek world. Their works were renowned for their craftsmanship and ingenuity.
3.1.1. Temple of Apollo at Delphi
Among their most celebrated architectural feats was the construction of the renowned Temple of Apollo at Delphi, which housed the famous Oracle of Delphi. After completing this sacred task, Agamedes and Trophonius prayed to Apollo, asking the god to grant them the best possible reward for their labor. The oracle responded, instructing them that they would receive their reward after seven days and that they should spend the intervening time doing whatever they wished. The brothers followed this instruction, and on the seventh night, they were found dead in their beds. This mysterious and peaceful death is often cited as an example of the ancient Greek saying, "those whom the gods love die young." The Roman orator Cicero also recounted this story, though he shortened the period of waiting to three days.
3.1.2. Treasury of Hyrieus
Agamedes and Trophonius are also famously associated with the construction of the treasury for King Hyrieus of Hyria, a city in Boeotia. In building this treasury, the brothers devised a clever method: they deliberately placed one stone in such a way that it could be removed from the outside without detection, creating a secret entrance to the treasury. This allowed Agamedes and Trophonius to repeatedly enter and steal from the treasury.
Despite the fact that the locks and seals on the treasury remained intact, King Hyrieus observed that his treasures were steadily diminishing. Realizing he was being robbed by an unseen hand, he set traps within the treasury, reportedly on the advice of the renowned craftsman Daedalus. Agamedes was eventually caught in one of these snares. In an act of profound grief and desperate loyalty, Trophonius, to prevent Agamedes's identity from being revealed, swiftly cut off his brother's head and managed to escape.
3.1.3. Other Notable Constructions
Beyond the Temple of Apollo and the Treasury of Hyrieus, Agamedes and Trophonius are credited with several other significant constructions. These include the bridal chamber built for Alcmene, the mother of Heracles, and a temple dedicated to Poseidon located on the road between Mantineia and Tegea. Some accounts also suggest that the treasury they built was not for King Hyrieus, but alternatively for King Augeas.
3.2. Aftermath: Trophonius's Deification
Immediately following the tragic death of Agamedes, Trophonius was dramatically swallowed up by the earth. This event transformed him into an immortal subterranean god. The spot where Trophonius disappeared later became sacred, marked by the so-called "cave of Agamedes" in the grove of Lebadeia, which had a column standing beside it. This location subsequently became home to the famous Oracle of Trophonius, one of the most prominent oracles in ancient Greece. Those who wished to consult the oracle had to perform specific rituals, which included offering a ram to Agamedes and invoking the deified Trophonius, acknowledging both brothers in the sacred practice.
4. Scholarly Interpretations and Parallels
The myth of Agamedes and Trophonius, particularly the story of their theft from the treasury of Hyrieus, bears a striking resemblance to other ancient narratives. The Greek historian Herodotus relates a very similar tale concerning the treasury of the ancient Egyptian king Rhampsinit. This strong parallel has led to scholarly debate regarding the origins of the story: whether the Greek version influenced the Egyptian tale, or if the Greek narrative was imported from Egypt.
Modern scholars have offered various perspectives on this question. Some argue for a Greek origin, while others suggest Egyptian influence. However, the German philologist and archaeologist Müller proposed a compelling theory: that the tradition likely originated among the Minyans of Orchomenus, Agamedes's ancestral home. He suggested that the story was later transferred from them to King Augeas and was well-known in Greece long before the reign of Psammetichus I in Egypt, which was the period when significant interaction between Greece and Egypt began. This suggests an independent or earlier Greek development of the narrative.
5. In Popular Culture
Agamedes has appeared in modern interpretations of Greek mythology. In the young adult fantasy novel The Dark Prophecy, part of Rick Riordan's The Trials of Apollo series, Agamedes is depicted as an orange-colored ghost, often referred to as Agamethus. In the story, he resides in the Waystation and assists the god Apollo during his trials. By the end of the book, Agamedes departs from the Waystation with the intention of finding his half-brother, Trophonius.