AEOLUS OF THESSALY IN GREEK MYTHOLOGY

Aeolus was the name of several distinct individuals in Greek mythology, with one being a King of Thessaly, famous for people the eponymous founder of the Aeolians.

​Aeolus Son of Hellen

Aeolus was the son of Hellen, son of Deucalion, born to the Naiad nymph Orseis; Aeolus was thus brother to Dorus and Xuthus.

Hellen and his sons were famed for being the ancestors of Greek people, for whilst the Hellenes were named for Hellen, the Dorians traced their ancestry to Dorus, Aeolians came from Aeolus, and Achaeans and Ionians came from the sons of Xuthus.

​Aeolus King of Thessaly

Aeolus would become King of Thessaly, receiving this land from his father, and as previously mentioned his people became known as the Aeolians. 

Aeolus would marry Enarete, daughter of Deimachus, with Aeolus thereafter become father to many famous Greek mythological figures. The list of children of Aeolus though grew over the centuries, as different people sought to trace their ancestry back to the son of Hellen. 

​Sons of Aeolus

The oldest sources, including Hesiod, tended to name but five sons of Aeolus, who would become ancestors of the five branches of the Aeolic Races. These five sons of Aeolus were - 

Athamas – Athamas was a Boeotian king, whose children included Helle and Phricus, and was famously married to Nephele, Ino and Themisto. 
Cretheus – Cretheus was the founding King of Iolcus, who with Tyro became father of Aeson, Amythaon and Pheres. 
Perieres – Perieres was King of Messenia who married Gorgophone, daughter of Perseus.
Salmoneus – Salmoneus was the impious King of Elis who was also famous for the animosity between him and Sisyphus.
Sisyphus – Sisyphus was the founding King of Corinth and famously escaped Death when Thanatos came for him. 

​More Children for Aeolus

Apollodorus would later add a further two sons to the list of Aeolus’ children, as well as five daughters - 

Deion – Deion, or Deioneus, was the King of Phocis, who was father of Cephalus amongst others
Magnes – Magnes gave his name to Magnesia, the land where he was the first king
Alcyone – Alcyone would become Queen of Trachis, for she married Ceyx, son of Eosphorus. 

Calyce – Calyce was potentially wife of Aethlius of Elis, and mother of Endymion. 
Canace – Canace was the lover of Poseidon, who bore the god five children. 
Perimede – Perimede would become wife of the Potamoi Achelous, and mother of Orestes and Hippodamas. 
Pisidice – Pisidice would marry Myrmidon and become mother to Actor and Antiphus.

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Colin Quartermain - Aeolus of Thessaly - 24th September 2021