Garamas
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In Greek mythology, Garamas (Ancient Greek: Γαράμας) was the mythical ancestor of the faction of Garamantes.[2][3] The city of Garama in Libya was named after him.[4] He was born in Libya, to where Minos had banished his pregnant daughter, Acacallis in retribution for her having an illicit relationship with the sun god.[5] Garamas was the first mortal born, the Libyans claimed that Garamas was born before the Hecatoncheires and that, when he rose from the plain, he offered Mother Earth a sacrifice of the sweet acorn.[6]
| Garamas | |
|---|---|
First Born | |
| |
| Venerated in | Numitheism |
| Major cult centre | Germa |
| Abode | Ancient Libya |
| Adherents | Garamantes (Berbers) |
| Gender | Male |
| Ethnic group | Berbers |
| Genealogy | |
| Parents | |
| Spouse | Tritonis |
| Children | Nasamones, Caphaurus |
| Equivalents | |
| Greek | Amphithemis |
Etymology
Garamas is a Berber name, as well as an eponym of the Garamantes, an ethnic group in Libya, and of their main city Garama.[7]
Genealogy
Garamas is known as the ancestor of the faction of Garamantes,[2][3] an ancient Berber faction that was very often discussed by both the ancient Greek historian Herodotus and the ancient Roman historian Pliny the Elder. Garamas consorted with a Libyan lake nymph, Tritonis, who bore him two sons, Nasamon[8] and Caphaurus. The name of Caphaurus (who is also known as Cephalion) means 'camphor', which is presumably meant to indicate his somewhat exotic African origin.[9] He was a shepherd who slew the Argonauts Eurybate (son of Teleon) and Canthus after they plundered his flocks.[10]
Archaeology
By AD 500, the last of the Garamantes people had either died or abandoned Garama, as underground water supplies dried up as a result of overexploitation.[11]