Editing Echemus (section)

== Mythology ==
After the death of [[Eurystheus]], [[Hyllus]] led the [[Heracleidae]] to attack [[Mycenae]]. Echemus offered himself as the champion of the defending Arcadian forces and killed Hyllus in single combat, thus forcing the Heracleidae to withdraw.<ref name=":0" /> This story is mentioned by the [[Tegea]]ns as an example of their people's bravery in book 9 of ''[[Histories (Herodotus)|The Histories]]'' by [[Herodotus]]; who puts in connection with a debate between the Tegeans and [[Athens|Athenians]] about who should cover the left part of the Hellenic army at the [[Battle of Plataea]], the last major battle of the [[Persian Wars]].<ref>Herodotus ''The Histories'' 9.26.</ref> [[Pausanias (geographer)|Pausanias]] further lists this among the most important achievements of the Tegeans.<ref>Pausanias 8.45.3.</ref> Echemus defeat of Hyllus allegedly stopped the arrival of the [[Dorians]] in the [[Peloponnese]], and the events were considered to have taken place when the Peloponnese was unified under rule of [[Tisamenus (son of Orestes)|Tisamenus.]]<ref>Pseudo-Apollodorus 2.8.2.</ref>

When visiting Tegea, Pausanias was shown the tomb of Echemus and a relief depicting his victory over Hyllus.<ref>Pausanias 8.53.10.</ref> A late Classical relief, now in the [[Archaeological Museum of Tegea]], shows an inscription with the name Echemus.<ref>Karapanagiotou, A. (2017) 52.</ref><ref>Archaeological Museum of Tegea Inventory Number: 2394.</ref>

Echemus was the victor in wrestling during the first Olympic games established by Heracles.<ref>[[Pindar]], ''Olympian Odes'' 10.65 ff.</ref>