the 17th and last king of Athens, son of Melanthus. When the Heraclidae made war against Athens, the oracle said that the victory would be granted to that nation whose king was killed in battle. The Heraclidae upon this gave strict orders to spare the life of Codrus; but the patriotic king disguised himself and attacked one of the enemy, by whom he was killed. The Athenians obtained the victory, and Codrus was deservedly called the father of his country. He reigned 21 years, about 2153 years before the Christian era. To pay more honour to his memory, the Athenians made a resolution that no man after Codrus should reign in Athens under the name of king.