ALCATHOUS IN GREEK MYTHOLOGY

Alcathous was a named hero of Greek mythology. Alcathous would be particularly associated with Megara, where he would become king. 

​Alcathous son of of Pelops

​Alcathous though, was not born in Megara for his kingdom of birth was Pisa, for Alcathous was one of the many sons of Pelops and Hippodamia; and thus a brother of the likes of Atreus and Thyestes. 

​Alcathous and the Proclamation of Megareus

Alcathous, when a young man, would come to Megara when the King of Megara, Megareus offered his daughter, Evaechme in marriage. Alcathous had been previously married to a woman named Pyrgo, although little is known of her. 

There was though an important stipulation in the proclamation of Megareus, for the chosen suitor for Evaechme would have to first kill the Lion of Cithaeron. 

​Alcathous and the Lion of Cithaeron

The Lion of Cithaeron was a man eating beast who was ravaging the land of Megara from its den upon Mount Cithaeron. This beast had already killed Evippus, the son and heir of Megareus (for Megareus’ other son, Timalcus, had already died). 

Although the killing of the Lion of Cithaeron was attributed to Heracles, in other versions it was Alcathous who hunted the beast upon Mount Cithaeron. Cornering the lion, Alcathous managed to deal a killing blow, ridding the land of the maneater. 

Having killed the Lion of Cithaeron, Alcathous would wed Evaechme, and become heir to Megareus and in time, Alcathous become the King of Megara.

​Alcathous the Builder

Having defeated the Lion of Cithaeron, Alcathous built a temple dedicated to Artemis and Apollo, gods of the Greek pantheon synonymous with hunting. 

Apollo was later said to have assisted Alcathous in rebuilding the defensive walls of Megara. 

​The Children of Alcathous

Alcathous was named father of four children, although their mother, be it Pyrgo or Evaechme, is not always clear. 

A daughter of Alcathous, called Automedusa, would become wife of Iphicles, and thus mother of Iolaus, whilst another, Perboea, would marry Telamon, and become mother of Ajax the Great. A third daughter, Iphinoe, would remain unwed. 

Alcathous was also father to two sons, Callipolis and Ischepolis. 

​The Sons of Alcathous

Callipolis and Ischepolis had been invited to Hunt the Calydonian Boar, the beast ravaging the land of Oeneus. Ischepolis though, was killed during the hunt, and it fell to Callipolis to tell his father the news. 

Callipolis returned to Megara, and found his father sacrificing to Apollo in the temple. Callipolis struck down the sacrifice, believing that this was no time to be making sacrifices. Alcathous was unaware of the death of Ischepolis at this time, and believing that Callipolis had just committed sacrilege, struck down his own son with one of the sacrificial logs, killing him. 

Alcathous would be cleansed of his crime by Astycratea and Manto, daughters of Polydius. Nothing is recorded as to the ultimate fate of Alcathous.

Contents

Colin Quartermain - Alcathous - 10th October 2022