Dromo's Den

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Codrus Biography

Codrus Image

CODRUS (Lat., from Gk. Kodros). The reputed last King of Athens, the son of Melanthus (c.1060 B.C.). When the Dorians invaded the Attic territory, an oracle declared that Athens would be saved if its ruler should perish by the hand of the enemy. Codrus, disguised as a peasant, entered the Dorian camp and was struck down in a quarrel of his own making; the Dorians withdrew. His son Medon was the first archon (q.v.), chosen for life.

The New International Encyclopaedia, Vol. V (New York: Dodd, Mead & Co., 1920) 544.