Æthra

Role: woman · First appears: Book 2 · Chapter 31

In Book 2, Chapter 31, Bellerophon came to Trœzen to ask Pittheus for Æthra’s hand in marriage. By Chapter 33, Poseidon had had an intrigue with her; Æthra built a temple to Athene on Sphæria and renamed the island Sacred, then imposed a custom that Trœzen’s maidens dedicate their maiden-girdles to Athene before marriage.

In Book 5, Chapter 19, Castor and Pollux abducted Helen and dragged Æthra from Athens. By Book 10, Chapter 10, Æthra was the wife of Phalanthus, who had accompanied her from home. When Ilium was taken, she escaped to the Greek camp and was recognized by Theseus’ sons; Helen then consented to Agamemnon granting Æthra to Demophon.

Relationship record

Book 2 · Chapter 31

admirer: Bellerophon “Bellerophon came to Trœzen to ask for Æthra as his wife from Pittheus”
courtship with Bellerophon (Bellerophon sought Æthra as his wife.) “Bellerophon came to Trœzen to ask for Æthra as his wife from Pittheus”

Book 2 · Chapter 33

with Poseidon (Poseidon had an intrigue with Æthra.) “Poseidon had an intrigue with her”
with Athene (Æthra built a temple to Athene.) “Accordingly Æthra built a temple here to Injurious Athene”

Book 5 · Chapter 19

with Castor (dragging her from Athens) “Castor and Pollux ran off with Helen, and dragged Æthra from Athens.”
with Pollux (dragging her from Athens) “Castor and Pollux ran off with Helen, and dragged Æthra from Athens.”
parent: Pittheus “Æthra, the daughter of Pittheus”

Book 10 · Chapter 10

married with Phalanthus “his wife, who had accompanied him from home”

Book 10 · Chapter 25

child: Theseus “And next Helen is Æthra the mother of Theseus with her head shaven, and Theseus’ son Demophon apparently wondering whether he could save her.”

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Extracted from the original text of Pausanias' Description of Greece. Made with Rho MD.