Demophon of Athens

Demophon
Phyllis and Demophoön by Edward Burne-Jones (1870)
King of Athens
Reign	1183 B.C. - 1150 B.C.
Predecessor	Menestheus
Successor	Oxyntes
Born	Unknown Athens, Greece
Died	1150 B.C. Athens, Greece
Wives	Phyllis Unknown
Issue	Oxyntes
Father	Theseus
Mother	Phaedra or Iope
Military career
Allegiance	Achaeans
Years of service	1193 B.C. – 1183 B.C.
Battles/wars	Trojan War

In Greek mythology, Demophon /ˈdɛməfɒn, -fən/ (Ancient Greek: Δημοφῶν or Δημοφόων) was a veteran of the Trojan War and king of Athens. The son of Theseus and Phaedra, Demophon was raised in exile by a family friend after his father was deposed. He later fought in the Trojan War, being one of those who hid in the Trojan Horse. Following the fall of Troy and the rescue of his grandmother Aethra, Demophon is said to have landed in Thrace on his return journey, where he met and married Phyllis, the daughter of the king. Leaving for Athens, Demophon promised to return, and when he did not, Phyllis committed suicide in despair. Arriving in Athens after a possible stop in Cyprus, Demophon succeeded Menestheus as king of Athens, supposedly in 1183 B.C. As king, he gave refuge and land to the Heracleidae in Athens, fought Diomedes and wrested the Palladium from him, presided over the creation of the court of the Ephetae, and hosted Orestes during his madness. Demophon died in Athens in 1150 B.C. after a reign of 33 years, and was succeeded by his son Oxyntes.