LINUS

also spelled Linos, in Greek mythology, the personification of lamentation; the name derives from the ritual cry ailinos, the refrain of a dirge. Two principal stories, associated with Argos and Thebes, respectively, arose to explain the origin of the lament. According to the Argive story, Linus, child of Apollo (god of light, truth, and prophecy) and Psamathe (daughter of Crotopus, king of Argos), was exposed at birth and was torn to pieces by dogs. In revenge, Apollo sent a Poine, or avenging spirit, which destroyed the Argive children. The hero Coroebus killed the Poine, and a festival, Arnis, otherwise called dog-killing day (kunophontis), was instituted, in which stray dogs were killed, sacrifice offered, and mourning made for Linus and Psamathe. In the Theban version, Linus was the son of Urania, Muse of astronomy, and the musician Amphimarus, and he was himself a great musician. He invented the Linus song but was put to death by Apollo for presuming to be his rival. A later, half-burlesque story related that Linus was the Greek hero Heracles' music master and was killed by his pupil, whom he tried to correct.