ACASTUS IN GREEK MYTHOLOGY
Acastus is a king of Greek mythology, for Acastus was the king of Iolcus, but Acastus was also a noted hero for he was an Argonaut and a hunter of the Calydonian Boar.
Acastus Son of Pelias
Acastus was the son of Pelias, king of Iolcus, and Anaxibia (Philomache); although Pelias had usurped the throne, taking it from Aeson, the father of Jason.
Acastus would have several siblings, including several sisters, one of whom was Alcestis. Acastus would grow up as a prince of Iolcus and became more than competent in hunting.
Acastus would have several siblings, including several sisters, one of whom was Alcestis. Acastus would grow up as a prince of Iolcus and became more than competent in hunting.
Acastus the Argonaut
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Eventually Jason would arrive in Iolcus, and Pelias feared that he was about to lose his kingdom, and thus Jason was tasked with the seemingly impossible task of bringing back the Golden Fleece from Colchis.
Jason would gather together a band of heroes to sail on board the Argo to Colchis, and amongst the named Argonauts was Acastus. Some tell of how Acastus was forced to join the crew of the Argo against his will, for the presence of Acastus on board would prevent Pelias sabotaging the journey. Others tell though of how Acastus willingly joined the complement of the Argo, against his father’s wishes, and was accepted as an Argonaut by Jason. Certainly Jason had no qualms about his presence on the Argo, for Acastus was named as a night guard at one point during the journey, and during the fight with the Doliones, Acastus would kill Sphodris. Acastus though was only a minor figure in the various versions of the Argonautica, but Acastus comes to prominence upon the return of the Argo to Iolcus. |
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The Return of the Argonauts - Constantinos Volonakis (1837-1907) - PD-art-100
Acastus Becomes King
Jason and Medea, the Colchian sorceress, now plotted against Pelias, and with Jason’s father Aeson probably having committed suicide during Jason’s absence, this plotting would lead to the death of Acastus’ father.
Medea would show the daughters of Pelias, including Asteropia and Antinoe, how an old lamb could be rejuvenated into a sprightly lamb by chopping it up and boiling it in a concoction of herbs. The sisters of Acastus were convinced that the same rejuvenation could occur with Pelias, and so the daughters of Pelias killed their father, but Medea did not bring the king of Iolcus back to life.
Upon the death of Pelias, Acastus would become king of Iolcus, despite the fact that Jason was perhaps the rightful king of the city.
For the killing of his father, Acastus would banish his own sisters from Iolcus, and Acastus then sought to punish Jason and Medea, and although the pair had not committed murder themselves, for instigating the death of the king, Jason and Medea were also banished from Iolcus, with the pair travelling together to Corinth.
Medea would show the daughters of Pelias, including Asteropia and Antinoe, how an old lamb could be rejuvenated into a sprightly lamb by chopping it up and boiling it in a concoction of herbs. The sisters of Acastus were convinced that the same rejuvenation could occur with Pelias, and so the daughters of Pelias killed their father, but Medea did not bring the king of Iolcus back to life.
Upon the death of Pelias, Acastus would become king of Iolcus, despite the fact that Jason was perhaps the rightful king of the city.
For the killing of his father, Acastus would banish his own sisters from Iolcus, and Acastus then sought to punish Jason and Medea, and although the pair had not committed murder themselves, for instigating the death of the king, Jason and Medea were also banished from Iolcus, with the pair travelling together to Corinth.
The Funeral Games of Pelias
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Acastus would bury his father, and then the new king of Iolcus instigated funerary games for his deceased father.
It was during these funerary games that Atalanta would wrestle, and best, Peleus, and it was also during these games that word arrived in Iolcus of the boar that was ravaging Calydon. Many of the Argonauts left in Iolcus now made their way to Calydon, and some tell of how Acastus also became a Calydonian Hunter, although others tell of the new king remaining in his new kingdom. |
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Acastus and Astydamia
At some point though, Acastus would wed a woman named Astydamia, although others call her Hippolyte, and thus Acastus would become father to three daughters, Laodamia (future wife of Protesilaus), Sterope, and Sthenele (mother of Patroclus).
Astydamia was probably an unfaithful wife for Acastus though, as was displayed when Peleus arrived in Iolcus.
Astydamia was probably an unfaithful wife for Acastus though, as was displayed when Peleus arrived in Iolcus.
Acastus and Peleus
Peleus had of course been an Argonaut alongside Acastus, and also a Calydonian Hunter, but during the hunt for the Calydonian Boar, Peleus had accidentally killed his father-in-law, Eurytion.
Peleus required absolution for this “crime”, the giving of absolution being one of the powers of kings in Ancient Greece; and thus Acastus willingly “forgave” his former comrade.
Peleus’ presence in Iolcus aroused the interest of Astydamia, who now fell in love with the Greek hero, and the queen attempted to seduce Peleus. Peleus was already married to Antigone, daughter of Eurytion, and so rejected the advances of Astydamia. The scorned Astydamia though now went to Acastus and accused Peleus of trying to rape her, and also sent a letter to Antigone, the wife of Peleus, that her husband was about to leave her.
Acastus’ honour meant that he could not simply kill the man he had so recently absolved of regicide, and so Acastus plotted for Peleus to die in some other way.
Peleus required absolution for this “crime”, the giving of absolution being one of the powers of kings in Ancient Greece; and thus Acastus willingly “forgave” his former comrade.
Peleus’ presence in Iolcus aroused the interest of Astydamia, who now fell in love with the Greek hero, and the queen attempted to seduce Peleus. Peleus was already married to Antigone, daughter of Eurytion, and so rejected the advances of Astydamia. The scorned Astydamia though now went to Acastus and accused Peleus of trying to rape her, and also sent a letter to Antigone, the wife of Peleus, that her husband was about to leave her.
Acastus’ honour meant that he could not simply kill the man he had so recently absolved of regicide, and so Acastus plotted for Peleus to die in some other way.
The Downfall of Acastus
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Thus, Acastus and Peleus went hunting upon Mount Pelion, camping overnight upon the mountain. During the night Acastus would abandon Peleus, taking Peleus’ sword with him; Acastus believing that the savage Centaurs upon Mount Pelion would kill Peleus.
Indeed, in the morning Peleus was surrounded by Centaurs, and the life of the Greek hero was definitely in peril, but the arrival of the wise centaur Chiron saved Peleus from harm. Peleus now had a grievance against Acastus for having been left to die, but a greater grievance Peleus now had against Astydamia, for the letter of Acastus’ wife to Antigone, saw Peleus’ wife commit suicide. Now Peleus returned to Iolcus seeking revenge, and Peleus was said to have been joined by Castor and Pollux, as well as Jason. Peleus thus led an army against the kingdom of Acastus, and soon Iolcus was conquered. Peleus would kill Astydamia, and quarter her body, before marching his army through the dismembered limbs. Now it is often presumed that Acastus died during this battle between Iolcus and Peleus’ army, although is not stated in all ancient sources, and perhaps Acastus continued to rule Iolcus after the death of Astydamia, although at some point Acastus was succeeded upon the throne of Iolcus by Thessalus, the son of Jason and Medea. |
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