ALCINOUS IN GREEK MYTHOLOGY
Alcinous was a King of Scheria in Greek mythology, coming to prominence in Homer’s Odyssey.
Alcinous Son of Nausithous
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Alcinous was the son of Nausithous, and thus a grandson of Poseidon. Alcinous thus had a brother called Phexenor. Phexenor was killed by Apollo, but Alcinous would marry Phexenor’s daughter Arete.
Alcinous truly loved Arete, and it was said that no husband honoured his wife, like Alcinous did. Alcinous would become father to five sons, including, Clytoneus, Halius and Laodamas, and one daughter, Nausicaa. |
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Alcinous was king of the island of Scheria, where he ruled a people called the Phaeacians. For it was said that Alcinous’ father had colonised the island with Phaeacian colonists.
Alcinous the Hospitable King
Alcinous was encountered by the Argonauts as they returned from Colchis. In the story of the Argonauts, Alcinous rules Drepane, and it was here, that the Colchian fleet finally caught up Jason and the Argo.
The Colchians demanded the return of Medea, but Alcinous declared his forces would protect them, after Arete “proved” Medea was no longer a virgin, and married to Jason. Alcinous then provided gifts to the Argonauts as they continued their voyage home.
The Colchians demanded the return of Medea, but Alcinous declared his forces would protect them, after Arete “proved” Medea was no longer a virgin, and married to Jason. Alcinous then provided gifts to the Argonauts as they continued their voyage home.
Alcinous and Odysseus
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Alcinous is far more prominent in the Odyssey, where again he proves to be a hospitable host, eventually, to Odysseus. Though, Alcinous, and his subjects were said to be hostile to strangers, by bypassing the palace security, and throwing himself on the mercy of Arete, Odysseus was given time to tell his tale.
Much detail is given to the royal court of Alcinous by Homer, and we find that Alcinous has been blessed by Hephaestus with gold and silver guard dog automatons, as well as other automatons inside the palace. Alcinous’ palace was said to have walls of bronze and gates of gold, and boundless orchards of fruit grew within its walls. With Odysseus as a guest, Alcinous was attune to his guest’s needs, for when he saw that the stories told by Demodocus upset Odysseus, Alcinous would call an end to festivities. As a final hospitable act, Alcinous agrees to transport Odysseus home on one of the Phaeacian ships. The Phaeacian ship were the fastest vessels that sailed the seas, manoeuvred by thought, for one just had to think of the destination for the route to be plotted, and a Phaeacian ship could never be wrecked. |
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Alcinous’ Kingdom
Alcinous’ kingdom has long been linked with the island of Corfu, and indeed in antiquity, Alcinous had a hero cult here. Corfu though, is too close to Odysseus’ Ithaca kingdom for Alcinous not to know who Odysseus was.
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Colin Quartermain - Alcinous - 5th April 2026