Alcathous

Family: Megarian · Role: king and son of Pelops · First appears: Book 1 · Chapter 41

Alcathous, son of Pelops, slew the lion of Mount Cithæron and became king. He built a temple dedicated to Artemis and Apollo; according to the Megarians, Apollo also helped him build the wall. Alcathous was first married to Pyrgo, then to Euæchma, daughter of Megareus. His children included Ischepolis, Callipolis, Peribœa and Iphinoe; Peribœa was sent by him to Crete with Theseus in connection with the tribute, while Iphinoe died unmarried.

After Ischepolis died while helping Meleager against the Calydonian boar, Callipolis disrupted Alcathous’s sacrifice with the news. In his anger, Alcathous killed him by striking him with a piece of wood from the altar. Polyidus later went to Megara and purged Alcathous for the murder. In Book 1, Chapter 42, Aias is said to have succeeded to Alcathous’s kingdom. A separate account names Alcathous, son of Porthaon, among the suitors of Hippodamia killed by Œnomaus.