ACASTUS (son of Pelias)

Acastus organized athletic competitions to honor his father and established funeral games at Iolcos.^9,10,11 He was among the nobles who assembled to join Jason's expedition and was willing to join the group of warriors rather than remain at home.^2,5 He kept watch over the sleeping chieftains during the night and killed the warrior Sphodris during the battle with the Doliones.^12,13

After returning, Acastus received a false accusation from his wife Astydamia that Peleus attempted to assault her.^14,15 He took Peleus hunting on Mount Pelion, where his party mocked the hero for seemingly catching no game.¹⁴ Acastus hid Peleus's sword in cow dung and planned for him to be killed by Centaurs, though he chose not to kill Peleus directly because he had previously purified him.^14,16 He abandoned Peleus while he slept and banished him from his realm.^14,17

Acastus forced Jason and Medea to leave the city of Iolcus and later joined forces with Creon to threaten Jason with death.^18,19 Jason bestowed the ancestral kingdom upon Acastus, who then arrived with a hostile attitude seeking vengeance.^20,19 He buried his father Pelias with the assistance of the people of Iolcus and joined hands with Neleus' son at the funeral feast.^18,8

Acastus was expected to avenge his sister's death by punishing Admetus.²¹ He had recently died before Thessalus arrived in Iolcus, leaving behind children including Laodamia, Actor, Sthenele, and Sterope.⁴ His sons expelled Peleus from Phthia, and Acastus owned a beautiful knife crafted by the famous lame smith.^22,16