ALCATHOUS, SON OF PORTHAON (son of Porthaon)
Figure of myth · Greek mythical character, son of Porthaon
- Parents
- Porthaon, Euryte
- In the sources
- 12 ancient passages
Alcathous, son of Porthaon and Euryte, spent a long time living as a poor fisherman.1,2,3 He was the brother of Oeneus and Sterope, and his family connections extended to the shores of Carystus where he had a home, wife, and children.1,3 His descendants included Automedusa and Eriboea, the latter of whom was from Athens.4,5
Oenomaus killed him for this suit, making Alcathus the second person slain by the king after Marmax.6,7 Some accounts blame him for harming racers on the course, while others note he received a portion of earth at an empty mound.2
In the chaos of war, warriors fought over his corpse, and Diomedes was destined to slay him while scaling a wall.8,9 In one account, Achilles pierced Alcathus through the jaw with his spear, the head exiting through his ear, and cut out his tongue.10 He died gasping for breath after being struck, while in another tradition, he killed Lycoreus with a stone before Caedicus ended his life.10,3,11 The athletic games in the Isthmian region bear his name, honoring his memory.12
The codex facts behind this entry
In the myths
Alcathus was killed by Oenomaus. Pausanias 6.21.10 +1
Fate
Warriors fought over his corpse, and Diomedes was destined to slay him while scaling the wall. Iliad 13 ¶37 +1
