Linus
（
Αίνος). The personification of a dirge or lamentation,
and therefore described as a son of Apollo by a Muse (Calliopé, or by
Psamathé or Chalciopé) or of Amphimarus by Urania. Both Argos and Thebes
claimed the honour of his birth. An Argive tradition related that Linus was exposed by his
mother after his birth, and was brought up by shepherds, but was afterwards
torn to pieces by dogs. Psamathé's grief at the occurrence betrayed her misfortune
to her father, who condemned her to death. Apollo, indignant at the father's cruelty, visited
Argos with a plague; and, in obedience to an oracle, the Argives endeavoured to propitiate
Psamathé and Linus by means of sacrifices and dirges, which were called
lini. According to a Boeotian tradition, Linus was killed by Apollo because
he had ventured upon a musical contest with the god. The Thebans distinguished between an
earlier and later Linus ; the latter is said to have instructed Heracles in music, but to have
been killed by the hero.
