Acheloos
Acheloos (modern-day Aspropotamos) is the name of a river in central-western Greece, spanning approximately 220 kilometers. It is the longest river in ancient Greece. It originates in the northern section of the Pindus mountain range (Mount Peristeri) and flows into the Ionian Sea after crossing Aetolia, where it separated Aetolia from Acarnania in its final stretch.
River Acheloos and Naples coin with the representation of androcephalous bull, to be recognized as Acheloos
The Myth of Acheloos
In mythology, Acheloos is the most prominent of the river gods, regarded as the eldest son of Oceanus and Tethys. Endowed with shapeshifting abilities, he was often depicted as a bull, a form frequently associated with river deities. Acheloos sought to marry Deianira, who was also courted by Heracles. During their fight, Acheloos transformed into various forms, from a serpent to a bull, but ultimately lost one of his horns. This horn, filled by a nymph with flowers and fruits, became the Horn of Plenty (Cornucopia, cornu copiae).
Acheloos' bearded visage with bull horns held apotropaic (protective) significance throughout the ancient world.
Pausanias mentions Acheloos among the depictions on the throne at Amyclae (III, 18, 16) and as the subject of a cedarwood sculptural group in the treasury of the Megarians at Olympia (VI, 19, 12).
[16] There is represented the fight between Heracles and Oreius the Centaur, and also that between Theseus and the Bull of Minos. There are also represented the wrestling of Heracles with Acheloos, the fabled binding of Hera by Hephaestus, the games Acastus held in honor of his father, and the story of Menelaus and the Egyptian Proteus from the Odyssey.5 Lastly there is Admetus yoking a boar and a lion to his chariot, and the Trojans are bringing libations to Hector.- Pausanias, Description of Greece, III, 18.13
[12] The Megarians who are neighbors of Attica built a treasury and dedicated in it offerings, small cedar-wood figures inlaid with gold, representing the fight of Heracles with Acheloos. The figures include Zeus, Deianeira, Acheloos, Heracles, and Ares helping Acheloos. There once stood here an image of Athena, as being an ally of Heracles, but it now stands by the Hesperides in the Heraeum. - Pausanias, Description of Greece, VI, 19.12
When Heracles broke off one of Acheloos’ horns during their struggle, the river god admitted defeat and relinquished his claim to marry Deianira, granting Heracles the right instead. Acheloos requested the return of his horn, offering in exchange the horn of the goat Amalthea (or Amaltheia, from amalós, meaning "soft" or "tender"). Amalthea was the nurse of the infant Zeus on Mount Ida after his birth on Crete. Drops of blood from Acheloos’ wound gave life to his daughters, the Sirens. According to another tradition, the Sirens were born from his union with the Muse Melpomene.
Heracles and Acheloos, hydria Attic black figure attributed to the Leagros Group (ca. 510 - 500 BCE) - British Museum, London
Acheloos was also considered the father of many freshwater springs, including the Pirene spring of Corinth, the Castalian spring at Delphi, and the Dirce spring of Thebes. Callirrhoe, who married Alcmaeon, is also thought to be his daughter, though the mother is unnamed in tradition. Acheloos was revered as a protector of fresh waters, and Virgil often referred to rivers in general as Acheloian goblets (Acheloia pocula).
Herakles fighting the river-god Achelous for Deianeira. Acheloos appears to have the appearance of a bull with a human face. Side A from an Attic red-figure column-krater, ca. 450 BCE. From Agrigento, Italy - Louvre Museum, Paris.
This myth, symbolizing the fertility of the plains nourished by the Acheloos River and the efforts to contain its waters within its banks, was explained as early as Strabo. From ancient times, Acheloos was venerated for his proximity to the Oracle of Dodona, where sacrifices to him were mandated with every consultation. He was invoked in sacrifices, prayers, and oaths, which may explain why smaller rivers in Thessaly and Arcadia were also named after him.
Acheloos frequently appeared in artistic depictions, including coinage and vase paintings. He was especially prominent in Attic black- and red-figure pottery, often depicted in combat with Heracles.
The Acheloos Painter
The Acheloos Painter was an Attic vase painter active between 530 and 510 BCE in Athens, part of the last generation of black-figure vase painters. Over 30 vases are attributed to him, primarily medium to large vessels such as neck amphorae, which were common at the time. He also crafted kraters and hydriae, such as the one from Vulci now housed in the Vatican, depicting men and women at a fountain.
The Acheloos Painter is associated with the Leagros Group, known for its restrained and vigorous style. The 'Leagros Group' is a term for a collective of vase painters who likely worked in the same workshop in Athens between 525 and 500 BCE. They specialized in black-figure technique, marking its final flourishing before being supplanted by red-figure pottery. The group’s name derives from the Berlin Amphora 1851, which depicts the struggle between Heracles and Acheloos, the latter portrayed as a centaur.
At a public fountain with an elegant architectural structure, two servants and two women are gathered to fill the hydrìai, vessels for drawing and carrying water of similar shape. A woman is about to place herself on the head, with the crop already ready, the pot now full, while the other turns to undertake an apparently animated conversation with the servant behind her who gestures visibly. Two fountain mouths are arranged in the usual protome of lion in apotropaic function, alternate with as many - and less usual - as a donkey head, perhaps for ironic or symbolic allusion.
The hyria is one of the most successful and lively works of the painter of Acheloo, central personality of the Leagros Group. It is a black figure ceramic printer from the latest black figure production, which works at the same time as the pioneers of the new red figure technique. - From Vulci, 525-510 BCE.
Last update: December 3, 2024
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