Epimenides (redirected from Epimenides of Knossos)

Epimenides (ĕpĭmĕn`ĭdēz), fl. 6th cent.? B.C., Cretan prophet and miracle worker. According to one story, he was called to Athens to purify the city after the murder of Cylon on the Acropolis. Many poems, oracles, and sayings were attributed to him (Titus 1.12 is supposed to contain one of these).

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Epimenides

philosopher nods off for 57 years in cave. [Gk. Legend: LLEI, I: 283]

See : Sleep

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Epimenides

a semilegendary sage, prophet, and poet of ancient Greece. Born on the island of Crete.

As a young shepherd, Epimenides fell asleep in a cave and slept for 57 (or 40) years. When he awoke, he discovered he had the abilities of both a priest and a poet. According to tradition, Epimenides purified Athens of the taint from murders committed at the altar during Cylon’s uprising (seventh century B.C.) and established the sanctuary of the Eumenides. Epic poems about the origin of the gods and about the construction of the Argo and Jason’s voyage have been ascribed to Epimenides. He is believed to have lived in the seventh or sixth century B.C; according to some authorities, his visit to Athens took place in 500. In classical tradition Epimenides is numbered among the seven wise men.