the impersonation of a dirge (Aïos), is represented as the son of Apollo, and one of the muses. According to one myth, Linus, having been exposed in his infancy by his mother, came under the foster care of shepherds, but was afterwards torn to pieces by dogs. Another fable says that he was slain by Apollo for his audacity in vying with that god in a musical contest. His statue stood in a grotto near Mount Helicon. At Thebes and Argos, his death was annually solemnized by the singing of dirges, called Aïos; and these two cities, along with Chalcis, contested the honour of possessing his tomb. Another Linus, of later date, is supposed to have been the music instructor of Hercules, and to have been killed by that hero. He is the reputed author of several poems.