Tectamus
# Tectamus

Tectamus /ˈtɛktəməs/ (Ancient Greek: Τέκταμος "craftsman", derived from tectainomai "to build", "plan", from tecton, "carpenter", "builder") was a king of Crete and hero of ancient Hellenic mythology. He was also called Tectaphus (Τέκταφος), Teutamus (Τεύταμος), Tectauus (Τεκταῦος) and Tectaeus (Τεκταῖος).

## Name

Joseph Vendryes had suggested that the name Teutamus, after the legendary Pelasgian founder, may contain the Proto-Indo-European root $*teutéh_a-$ ('tribe, people'). Later scholars proposed a relation of Pelasgian Teutamus with similar names that appear in Italy in later times.

## Mythology

Tectamus was the son of Dorus and grandson of Hellen. According to Diodorus Siculus, Tectamus invaded Crete together with a horde of Aeolian and Pelasgian settlers and became the island's king. It was the third of the tribes that migrated to Crete. According to another version, Tectamus was a chief of Dorians and Achaeans. He married Cres' or Cretheus' daughter who gave birth to his son Asterion.

## In later Greek historiography

Historian Ctesias wrote of a king of "Assyrian" provenance named Teutamus, and this historical personage appears in an epic tale involving Memnon, son of Eos.

