THESTIUS IN GREEK MYTHOLOGY
Thestius was a king who appeared in tales of Greek mythology. Thestius was most famous for welcoming Tyndareus and Icarius when they were exiled from Sparta.
Thestius Son of Ares
Most commonly, Thestius is said to have been a son of the god Ares, be either, Demonice, a daughter of Agenor or Pisidice. Alternatively, some say Thestius was son of Agenor and Epicasta; Agenor being the son of Pleuron.
Thestius would become King of Pleuron, a town of the Curetes in Aetolia.
Thestius would become father to a number of children by a number of women. Wives of Thestius were named Leucippe, Eurythemis, Deidameia and Laophonte.
The most famous children of Thestius were arguably a son called Iphiclus, who was named as an Argonaut, and two daughters, Leda, a future lover of Zeus, and Althaea, future mother of Meleager.
Other potential children of Thestius include Aphares, Toxeus, Calydon, Hypermnestra, Prothous, Cometes, Iphiclus, Eurypylus, Evippus and Plexippus.
Thestius would become King of Pleuron, a town of the Curetes in Aetolia.
Thestius would become father to a number of children by a number of women. Wives of Thestius were named Leucippe, Eurythemis, Deidameia and Laophonte.
The most famous children of Thestius were arguably a son called Iphiclus, who was named as an Argonaut, and two daughters, Leda, a future lover of Zeus, and Althaea, future mother of Meleager.
Other potential children of Thestius include Aphares, Toxeus, Calydon, Hypermnestra, Prothous, Cometes, Iphiclus, Eurypylus, Evippus and Plexippus.
Thestius Welcomes Tyndareus and Icarius
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Thestius was regarded as a hospitable king, and at the time when Hippocoon exiled Tyndareus and Icarius from Sparta, Thestius welcomed the pair to his kingdom.
Thestius was in dispute with a number of his neighbours and Tyndareus and Icarius aided Thestius in capturing land across the Achelous. Part of the land conquered was then given to Icarius to rule. Thestius would then aide Tyndareus and Icarius in their fight against Hippocoon, although Hippocoon and his sons would be killed by Heracles. |
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Tyndareus would marry Leda, the daughter of Thestius.
Hostilities between Thestius and his Calydonian neighbours came to an end when Thestius’ daughter, Althaea, married King Oeneus.
Hostilities between Thestius and his Calydonian neighbours came to an end when Thestius’ daughter, Althaea, married King Oeneus.
The Sons of Thestius
The sons of Thestius come to the fore during the Calydonian Boar Hunt. Some say that Iphiclus, the son of Thestius was the first to hit the boar, and that, when Meleager sought to give away the skin, Thestius claimed it as rightfully his.
Thestius though, was not commonly said to be amongst the hunters, but several sons of Thestius were, including Prothous, Cometes, Iphiclus, Eurypylus, Evippus and Plexippus. A war broke out between Meleager and his uncles, for Meleager was the son of Thestius’ daughter, Althaea.
In the ensuing war, everyone died, with Althaea committing suicide after causing her own son’s demise.
Thestius though, was not commonly said to be amongst the hunters, but several sons of Thestius were, including Prothous, Cometes, Iphiclus, Eurypylus, Evippus and Plexippus. A war broke out between Meleager and his uncles, for Meleager was the son of Thestius’ daughter, Althaea.
In the ensuing war, everyone died, with Althaea committing suicide after causing her own son’s demise.
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Colin Quartermain - Thestius - 24th August 2021