ABSTRACT
The story of Battus’ birth as preserved in Cyrenaic tradition makes him son of Phronime, daughter of a Cretan king, Etearchus. Phronime’s stepmother was cruel to her and turned Etearchus against his daughter with a tale of her immorality. With lavish gifts he persuaded a Theran merchant, Themison, to grant him any favour he might desire; when Themison agreed, Etearchus asked him to throw Phronime into the sea from his ship. Themison was outraged, but had to fulfil his promise. However, he fastened a rope to the girl, and after throwing her overboard pulled her in again. Thereafter he had nothing more to do with Etearchus. Themison took Phronime to Thera where she became the concubine of a noble Theran, Polymnestus. She gave birth to Aristoteles, who acquired the nickname Battus from his stammer.
