Author(s):
Scherf, Johannes (Tübingen)
[German version] (Κέκροψ;
Kékrops). Indigenous (Apollod. 3,177) Attic first king, who was revered cultically on the acropolis of Athens, where his grave also lay (Antiochus-Pherecydes FGrH 333 F 1). The Cecropion (building inscription Erechtheion IG I3 474,56. 56-63) is presumably identical with the structure at the south-west corner of the Erechtheion, which was taken into consideration during the construction of the temple, and can be dated before the Persian Wars (Hecatompedon inscription IG I3 4B, 10-11). An inscription of the Augustan period names a priest of C. from the lineage of the Amynandrides (IG III 1, 1276). At Apollod. 3,177 and in Marmor Parium (FGrH 239 A), C. is called the first king of Athens, and in the king-lists a later invented C. II is found as successor of Erechtheus (Paus. 1,5,3; Apollod. 3,196 and 204). According to Philochorus (FGrH 328 F 92 = Euseb. Praep. evang. 10,10,7) C.'s reign began in 1607 BC; he ruled for 50 years according to Philochorus (FGrH 328 F 93). His appearance is thought to have been double-natured (
diphyḗs) the lower part of his body being in snake form (Eur. Ion 1163-1164; Apollod. 3,177; schol. Aristoph. Vesp. 438; as in Eupolis in the ‘Kolakes fr. 159 PCG V monsters of man and tuna), in the plastic arts C. is shown in purely human form when he is together with the other phyle heroes [2. 1089-1091]. Rationalistic explanations attempt to substantiate his biformity with his bilingualism (he came from the Egyptian Saïs: Philochorus FGrH 328 F 93, schol. Aristoph. Plut. 773) or a change in his being (Plut. Mor. 551ef). As first kin…