In Greek mythology, the name Areithous (Ancient Greek: Ἀρηΐθοος) may refer to:

  • Areithous, King of Arne in Boeotia, and husband of Philomedusa [el], by whom he had a son Menesthius.[1] He is called in the Iliad the "club-bearer" (korynetes), because he fought with no other weapon but an iron club. He fell by the hand of Lycurgus of Arcadia, who drove him into a narrow defile, where he could not make use of his club. His armor was later worn by Lycurgus and then by Ereuthalion.[2] The tomb of Areithous was shown in Arcadia as late as the time of Pausanias.[3]
  • Areithous, a defender of Troy, squire and charioteer of the Thracian Rhigmus. Both Areithous and Rhigmus were killed by Achilles in the battle: he smote them with his spear.[4]

The name is based on the adjective ἀρηΐθοος, meaning warlike, or literally "swift in the fight."

Notes edit

  1. ^ Homer, Iliad 7.8 ff
  2. ^ Homer, Iliad 7.136 ff
  3. ^ Pausanias, 8.11.4
  4. ^ Homer, Iliad 20.484-489

References edit

  • Homer, The Iliad with an English Translation by A.T. Murray, Ph.D. in two volumes. Cambridge, MA., Harvard University Press; London, William Heinemann, Ltd. 1924. ISBN 978-0674995796. Online version at the Perseus Digital Library.
  • Homer, Homeri Opera in five volumes. Oxford, Oxford University Press. 1920. ISBN 978-0198145318. Greek text available at the Perseus Digital Library.
  • Pausanias, Description of Greece with an English Translation by W.H.S. Jones, Litt.D., and H.A. Ormerod, M.A., in 4 Volumes. Cambridge, MA, Harvard University Press; London, William Heinemann Ltd. 1918. ISBN 0-674-99328-4. Online version at the Perseus Digital Library
  • Pausanias, Graeciae Descriptio. 3 vols. Leipzig, Teubner. 1903. Greek text available at the Perseus Digital Library.