Codrus facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Codrus
Codrus on a Attic red-figure cup of Bologna
Title	King of Athens
Children	Medon Acastus

Codrus was a legendary figure, known as the very last King of Athens. He ruled around 1089 to 1068 BC. Codrus is remembered as a great example of patriotism (love for one's country) and sacrifice (giving up something important for others). After him, his son Medon took over. Medon was not called a king, but the first Archon of Athens. An archon was like a chief ruler or magistrate. It was also believed that Codrus was a descendant of the sea-god Poseidon, through his father Melanthus.

Who Was King Codrus?

Codrus was a king from ancient Greece, a time when stories often mixed with history. His story is one of bravery and putting his people first. The earliest tales about Codrus come from a speech by Lycurgus of Athens in the 4th century BC. These stories tell us about a very important moment for Athens.

The Dorian Invasion Threat

Around 1068 BC, a group of people called the Dorians were invading Greece. They had already conquered much of the land, including the Peloponnesus region. The Dorians, led by Aletes, son of Hippotes, wanted to take over Athens next.

A Prophecy for Victory

Before their attack, the Dorians asked the Delphic Oracle for advice. An oracle was a special priestess who could tell the future. The oracle gave them a prophecy: the Dorians would win their invasion as long as the king of Athens was not harmed. This meant that if the Athenian king stayed safe, Athens would fall.

Codrus's Brave Plan

News of this prophecy quickly reached King Codrus. He knew that if he stayed alive, his city, Athens, would be defeated by the Dorians. Codrus loved his people deeply and decided he had to do something drastic to save them. He chose to sacrifice himself.

The King's Sacrifice

Codrus came up with a clever and brave plan. He dressed up like a simple peasant, so no one would recognize him as the king. He then went near the Dorian army's camp, across the river. There, he started an argument with some Dorian soldiers. In the fight that followed, Codrus was killed.

When the Dorians realized they had killed the King of Athens, they were terrified. The prophecy said they would only win if the king was not harmed. Since he was dead, they feared defeat. Because of this, the Dorians decided to retreat and left Athens alone.

The End of Kings in Athens

After Codrus's heroic death, the people of Athens felt that no one was worthy enough to take his place as king. So, they decided to change their system of government. The title of "king" was officially ended. Instead, they created the new title of "archon."

A New Era for Athens

Aristotle, a famous Greek philosopher, wrote about this change. He (or one of his students) mentioned in his work, Constitution of the Athenians, that Codrus's own family was involved in ending the kingship. This change led to a new period in Athenian history, with archons ruling instead of kings.