Proetus

Twin brother of Acrisius of Argos (the grandfather of Perseus) and son of Abas son of Lynceus (Apollod. 2.2.1). Quarrelled with Acrisius in the womb, according to Bacchylides, and split the Argolid between them: Acrisius took Argos, Proetus took Tiryns and the eastern half. Married Stheneboea (in Homer called Anteia, *Il.* 6.160), daughter of Iobates of Lycia. When Bellerophon arrived as an exile-guest from Corinth and refused Stheneboea's advances, she accused him of assault; Proetus, bound by xenia not to kill a guest directly, sent him to his father-in-law with a sealed letter ordering his death (Hom. *Il.* 6.155–170). His three daughters were also famously afflicted — either by Hera for slighting her temple or by Dionysus for refusing his rites — and cured by Melampus in exchange for a third of the kingdom (Hdt. 9.34; Apollod. 2.2.2).

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