Now we will list the kings of the Argives, begining with Inachus and ending with Sthenelus the son of Crotopus. These kings reigned for a total of 382 years, until Sthenelus was expelled by Danaus, who seized control of Argos. The descendants of Danaus ruled Argos, ending with Eurysthenes, the son of Sthenelus, the son of Perseus. After Eurysthenes, the descendants of Pelops ruled Argos. The duration of the reign of the kings of the Danaidae was 162 years. The duration of the reign of the Pelopidae was 105 years, starting with Atreus, and ending with Penthilus, Tisamenus and Cometes the son of Orestes, in whose time the invasion of the Heracleidae occurred.
The dates of each of the Argive kings are as follows.
The Kings of the Argives.
1. Inachus, 50 years. The country was called Inachia, after this Inachus. He began to rule [g262] the Argives at the time of Thurimachus, who was the seventh king of the Sicyonians.
2. Phoroneus, 60 years. In his reign, Ogygus founded Eleusis.
3. Apis, 35 years. The country was then called Apia, after this Apis. During his reign, Joseph governed the Egyptians, as recorded by the Hebrews.
4. Argus, the son of Zeus and Niobe, for 70 years. The name of the country was changed to Argeia, after this Argus.
5. Criasus, 54 years.
6. Phorbas, 35 years. During his reign, Cecrops Diphyes became king of the Athenians.
7. Triopas, 46 years. During his reign, Moses led the Hebrews out of Egypt.
8. Crotopus, 21 years.
9. Sthenelus, 11 years.
Altogether these kings reigned for 382 years [g263].
Danaus expelled Sthenelus, and ruled Argos, as did his descendants. The succession of kings, and their dates, are as follows.
10. Danaus, 50 years.
11. Lynceus, 41 years.
12. Abas, 23 years.
13. Proetus, 17 years.
14. Acrisius, 31 years.
Altogether they ruled Argos for 545 years, until the end of the Danaidae.
After Acrisius, rule of the Argives passed to Mycenaae, when the descendants of Pelops took power, in the time of Eurysthenes the son of Sthenelus [g264]. Pelops was the first ruler of the Peloponnese, and he encouraged the Olympic games.
After Acrisius, when the Argives were ruled from Mycenae:
Eurysthenes ruled as king for 45 years.
Then the Pelopidae, Atreus and Thyestes, 65 years.
Then Agamemnon, 30 years. In the 18th year of his reign, Troy was captured.