BUTES IN GREEK MYTHOLOGY
Butes was an Argonaut in the surviving sources of Greek mythology. A son of Teleon, Butes would become famous as a lover of the goddess Aphrodite.
Butes Son of Teleon
Butes is named as a son of Teleon, a man otherwise unknown, and Zeuxippe, a naiad nymph, as a daughter of the Potamoi Eridanus.
Now it is commonly said that Eribotes was brother to Butes, for both, as Argonauts, were named as sons of Teleon, there is some supposition that there were two distinct Teleons, for it is not agreed that Butes and Eribotes came from the same region of Ancient Greece. |
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Butes the Argonaut
Butes though, was one of the Argonauts, a fact universally agreed on in the main surviving sources. The Argonauts being the men who manned the Argo, as Jason quested for the Golden Fleece. Butes is famous for the manner in which he departs the company of the Argonauts.
The Argo would have to sail near to the island of the Sirens, and it was for this moment that Orpheus was brought onboard. As the ship neared the island, Orpheus took out his lyre, producing such beautiful music that it drowned out the song of the Sirens.
Butes alone though, was transfixed by the Sirens’ song, perhaps he had especially keen hearing. Butes jumped overboard, and started to swim towards the Sirens.
Aphrodite though was looking down upon Jason and his crew, and observing Butes in the water, carried him away.
The Argo would have to sail near to the island of the Sirens, and it was for this moment that Orpheus was brought onboard. As the ship neared the island, Orpheus took out his lyre, producing such beautiful music that it drowned out the song of the Sirens.
Butes alone though, was transfixed by the Sirens’ song, perhaps he had especially keen hearing. Butes jumped overboard, and started to swim towards the Sirens.
Aphrodite though was looking down upon Jason and his crew, and observing Butes in the water, carried him away.
Butes and Aphrodite |
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The goddess was said to have taken Butes to Lilybaeum (Marsala) at the westernmost point of Sicily. It was said that Aphrodite and Butes became lovers, for two children of Butes are occasionally named.
The more famous of the two sons of Butes was said to be Eryx, although he is sometimes named as son of Poseidon. Eryx would become a King of Sicily, and the man who rashly challenged Heracles to a boxing match or wrestling bout. The second son of Butes was perhaps Polycaon, the man who married Evaechme, granddaughter of Heracles, via Hyllus and Iole. |
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Colin Quartermain - Butes - 30th April 2023