Απις
According to the tradition recorded by Apollodorus, Apis was the son of Phoroneus and the grandson of Inachus. His mother was the Nymph Teledice. From his father he inherited power over the whole Peloponnese, which was called Apia after him. But he acted like a tyrant and was killed, according to some by Aetolus, the hero who gave his name to Aetolia, according to others by Thelxion and Telchis. He was subsequently deified and worshipped under the name of Sarapis. His death was avenged by Argos. According to Aeschylus, Apis was a physician with the gift of prophecy, a son of Apollo who had come from Naupactus to purify the Peloponnese.
In another version of the legend, recorded by Pausanias, Apis is said to be the son of Telchis of Sicyon and father of Thelxion (Table 22).
{E2 DICTIONARY OF CLASSICAL MYTHOLOGY}
Table of Sources:
- Apollod. Bibl. 1, 7, 6; 2, 1, 1ff.
- Tzetzes on Lyc. Alex. 177
- Steph. Byz. s.v. 'Απια
- schol. on Hom. Il. 1, 22; 13, 218
- schol. on Apoll. Rhod. Arg. 4, 263
- Paus. 2, 5, 7
- Arnobius, Adv. Nat. 1, 36