Aegimius

(Αἰγίμιος), the mythical ancestor of the Doric race, who is described as their king and lawgiver at the time when they were yet inhabiting the northern parts of Thessaly. (Pind. P. 1.124, 5.96.) When involved in a war with the Lapithae, he called Heracles to his assistance, and promised him the third part of his territory, if he delivered him of his enemies. The Lapithae were conquered, but Heracles did not take for himself the territory promised to him by Aegimius, and left it in trust to the king who was to preserve it for the sons of Heracles. (Apollod. 2.7.7; Diod. 4.37.) Aegimius had two sons, Dymas and Pamphylus, who migrated to Peloponnesus and were regarded as the ancestors of two branches of the Doric race (Dymanes and Pamphylians), while the third branch derived its name from Hyllus (Hylleans), the son of Heracles, who had been adopted by Aegimius. (Apollod. 2.8.3; Schol. ad Pind. Pyth. 1.121.) Respecting the connexion between Aegimius and Heracles, see Müller, Dor. 1.35, &c.

There existed in antiquity an epic poem called " Aegimius," of which a few fragments are still extant, and which is sometimes ascribed to Hesiod and sometimes to Cercops of Miletus. (Athen. 11.503; Steph. Byz. s. v. Ἀβαντίς) The main subject of this poem appears to have been the war of Aegimius and Heracles against the Lapithae. (Groddeck, Biblioth. der alt. Lit. und Kunst, 2.84, &c.; Müller, Dor. 1.33, &c.; Welcker, Der Epische Cyclus, p. 266, &c. The fragments are collected in Düntzer, Die Fragm. d. episch. Poes. der Griech. bis zeit Alexand. p. 56, &c.) [L.S]

(Αἰγίμιος). A king of the Dorians, reigning in Thessaly, near the range of Pindus. He aided Heracles, according to the Doric legend, in his contest with the Lapithae, and received as a reward the territory from which they were driven. Aegimius is a conspicuous name among the founders of the Doric line, and mention is made by the ancient writers of an epic poem, entitled Αἰγίμιος, which is ascribed by some to Hesiod, by others to Cecrops the Milesian. The posterity of Aegimius formed part of the expedition against the Peloponnesus, and the Doric institutions of Aegimius are spoken of by Pindar as forming the rule or model of government for the Doric race. (Cf. Müller, Dorier, vol. ii. p. 12.)

• Herakles helps him against the Lapiths: Apollod. 2.7.7
• father of Dymas: Paus. 7.17.6, and of Pamphylus: Paus. 2.28.6
• his sons slain in battle: Apollod. 2.8.3