ALTHAEA IN GREEK MYTHOLOGY

In Greek mythology, Althaea was a Queen of Calydon, the mother of Meleager amongst others. Althaea though is famous for putting her brothers ahead of her son. 

Althaea Daughter of Thestius

​Althaea was most commonly said to have been the daughter of Thestius, King of Pleuron, and Eurythemis, although a number of other women were named as mother of Thestius’ children.

Althaea would have a number of siblings, most famous being Leda and Iphiclus, but others were Aphares, Toxeus, Calydon, Hypermnestra, Prothous, Cometes, Iphiclus, Eurypylus, Evippus and Plexippus. 

Althaea and Oeneus

​When of age, Althaea would marry Oeneus, King of Calydon, one of Thestius’ neighbours, and thus, Althaea became Queen of Calydon 

Althaea would become mother to a number of children to Oeneus, including Ageleus, Clymenus, Eurymede, Gorge, Melanippe, Periphas, Thyreus, and Toxeus. 

Althaea Beloved by Gods

Althaea was also loved by gods, sometimes with or without the knowledge of her husband. Oeneus was said to have encouraged Althaea’s liaison with Dionysus, and Althaea thus became mother of Deianira, the future wife of Heracles. 

Oeneus though probably did not know of Althaea’s relationships with Poseidon, which some said brought forth Ancaeus; and also a brief relationship with Ares that brought forth another son, Meleager.

Althaea and the Fate of Meleager

Meleager is the most famous child of Althaea, and when the new-born boy was born, the Moirai visited Calydon. A prediction was made by Atropos, which said that Meleager would live until the brand burning in the hearth was totally consumed by fire. 

Althaea quickly removed the brand from the fire, and hid it away, making Meleager immortal. 

Meleager would become a noted hero, including playing a role as an Argonaut, Meleager would return to Calydon though, to take part in the Calydonian Boar Hunt. 

A large band of heroes had gathered to hunt the monstrous boar sent by Artemis, and eventually the boar was killed by Meleager. Meleager sought to give the hide to Atalanta, the only female hero amongst the group. This affronted the sons of Thestius who were present, and an angry Meleager struck Prothous and Cometes down dead. 

When the news of Thestius’ sons deaths reached Althaea, Althaea decided to take revenge on her own son, and she tok the brand from its hiding place, and put it once again in the fire, allowing it to burn down to nothing. 

With the brand burnt through, Meleager dropped down dead. 

​An alternative version tells of a war between the Curetes and Calydon as a result of the hunt, where the sons of Thestius led an army against Meleager’s defenders. Meleager became aware that the brand had been burnt, and knew he was now vulnerable, and although initially he refused to face the army of Curetes, eventually he took the heroic path, and led his army to victory, but died in the battle. 

After her brothers and Meleager were dead, Althaea then committed suicide, potentially hanging herself, or else she fell onto a dagger. 

Illustration of Althaea from en:Ovid, en:Metamorphoses 7.524 - Johann Wilhelm Baur - PD-art-100

Contents

Colin Quartermain - Althaea - 24th August 2021