Cisseus, king of Thrace, was the husband of Telecleia and the father of Theano. According to Homer, he raised his grandson Iphidamas, the child of Theano and Antenor, at his court and married him to one of his daughters. Virgil presents Cisseus as a close friend of Anchises, the father of Aeneas. According to other mythological traditions, which were used by Eurypides, he was the father of Hecuba and Asius. Cisseus also appears in Eurypides (although in this instance it is not clear whether this is the same mythological figure) as the king of Thrace who asked Archelaus of Macedon, for help, promising him in exchange his daughter and part of his kingdom. In the end, though, he accepted the help provided but did not keep his promise and was therefore punished – by Archelaus, according to Eurypides; by Caranus, according to other mythological traditions.
