legendary architect of Greek mythology
Agamedes
Agamedes is a legendary architect in Greek mythology, son of Erginus and brother of Trophonius, with whom he built temples and palaces. His story, tied to Delphi and Lebadea, gave rise to a famous saying about the young whom the gods love.
The myth
According to tradition, Agamedes was a son of Erginus, king of the Minyans of Orchomenus, and brother of Trophonius. Other ancient authors give different genealogies: some make him a son of Apollo and Epicaste, and stepfather of Trophonius; others make him a son of Zeus and Iocaste and father of Trophonius. Together they became famous architects, and they are said to have built the fourth temple of Apollo at Delphi.
When the work was finished, the oracle told them they could do whatever they wished for six days, and on the seventh they would receive their greatest wish. They spent those days indulging themselves, and on the seventh day they were found dead in their beds. Pindar tells the story with seven days, while Cicero shortens it to three.
The best-known episode concerns the treasury of King Hyrieus of Hyria. Using a loose stone, they made a secret entrance and kept stealing its wealth. Agamedes was caught in a royal trap, and Trophonius cut off his head so that no one could identify him. Trophonius then fled to Lebadeia, where the earth swallowed him up.
Worship and religion
At Lebadeia, beside the cave of Trophonius's oracle, there was a cave known as the cave of Agamedes, with a column beside it. Those who consulted the oracle first had to offer a ram to Agamedes and eat only its meat for several days.
Legacy
According to tradition, the saying “those whom the gods love die young” comes from this story.
Ancient sources: Pindar and Cicero recount the oracle's promise, and Pausanias describes Hyrieus's treasury in his Description of Greece.