Achelous

Also known as: Achelôüs · Family: Gods · Role: river-god · First appears: Sophocles, The Trachinian Maidens — Scene 1

Life events

• Heracles defeated Achelous and married Deianira.(Sophocles, The Trachinian Maidens — Scene 1 · 📍 Pleuron)
  • With: Heracles Deianira
  • “For a river-god, Swift Achelôüs, was my suitor there And sought me from my father in three forms; Now in his own bull-likeness, now a serpent Of coiling sheen, and now with manlike build But bovine front, while from the shadowy beard Sprang fountain-waters in perpetual spray. Looking for such a husband, I, poor girl! Still prayed that Death might find me, ere I knew That nuptial.--Later, to my glad relief, Zeus' and Alcmena's glorious offspring came, And closed with him in conflict, and released My heart from torment. How the fight was won I could not tell. If any were who saw Unshaken of dread foreboding, such may speak. But I sate quailing with an anguished fear, Lest beauty might procure me nought but pain, Till He that rules the issue of all strife, Gave fortunate end--if fortunate! For since, Assigned by that day's conquest, I have known The couch of Heracles”
• Heracles defeats Achelous and wins Deianeira as his bride.(Sophocles, The Trachinian Maidens — Scene 3 · 📍 Acarnania)
  • With: Heracles Deianira
  • “But the tender fair one far away Sate watching with an eye of piteous cheer (A mother's heart will heed the thing I say,) Till won by him who freed her from her fear. Sudden she leaves her mother's gentle side, Borne through the waste, our hero's tender bride.”

Sophocles, The Trachinian Maidens — Scene 1

• admired: Deianira “For a river-god, / Swift Achelôüs, was my suitor there / And sought me from my father in three forms;”
• rivals with Heracles “Zeus' and Alcmena's glorious offspring came, / And closed with him in conflict, and released / My heart from torment.”
• enemies with Heracles “Later, to my glad relief, / Zeus' and Alcmena's glorious offspring came, / And closed with him in conflict, and released / My heart from torment.”

Sophocles, The Trachinian Maidens — Scene 3

• with Aphrodite (Aphrodite acted as umpire in Achelous's contest with Heracles for Deianeira.) “And Cypris 'mid the fray Alone, that dreadful day, Sate umpire, holding promise in her eyes.”

Euripides, The Bacchæ — Scene 3

• child: Dirce “O daughter of Achelous, venerable Dirce, happy virgin”

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Extracted from the original text of Greek Tragedy. Made with Rho MD.