Agreus and Nomios
In Greek mythology Agreus or Argeus (Greek: Ἀγρεύς, Ἀργεύς) and his brother Nomios (Νόμιος) are two of the Pans, creatures multiplied from the god Pan. They are human in shape, but have the horns of goats. Both were the sons of Hermes, Argeus' mother being the nymph Sose, a prophetess: he inherited his mother's gift of prophecy, and was also a skilled hunter. Nomios' mother was the dryad Penelope (not the same as the wife of Odysseus). He was an excellent shepherd, a seducer of nymphs, and musician upon the shepherd's pipes. Agreus and Nomios could also be understood as epithets of Pan, expressing two different aspects of the prime Pan, reflecting his dual nature as both a wise prophet and a lustful beast. Both Agreus (meaning "hunter") and Nomios (meaning "shepherd") are titles of several agricultural gods, including Aristaeus[1] and Pan himself.
Agreus and Nomios joined the dozen sons of the god Pan to help Dionysus in his wars in India.[2]
Other uses
Agreus was also the name of several other mythological characters.
- Agreus, a son of Apollo and Euboea, daughter of Macareus. He was the lord of Diphys in Euboea, or king of the entire island.[3]
- Agreus, a warrior from Epidaurus, and one of the army of the Seven Against Thebes.[4]
- Agreus, a warrior from Calydon, also one of the army of the Seven Against Thebes.[5]
- Agreus, a warrior from Pylos, yet another of the army of the Seven Against Thebes. He was killed by Menoeceus, son of Creon.[6]
Agreus and Nomios in popular culture
- Agreus and Nomios are both characters in Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2.