ALTHAEA (mythical daughter of Thestius)

Among her offspring were the horse-taming Pheres, the surpassing Agelaus, Toxeus, Clymenus, the godlike Periphas, the rich-haired Gorga, and the wise Deianira.³ Dionysus is said to have fathered Deianira.⁴ Most famously, she gave birth to the warrior Meleager.^5,3,6 The Fates presented Althaea with a brand that determined Meleager's lifespan, telling her he would die when it burned out.^1,7 To ensure her son's safety, Althaea took the burning brand from the hearth, hid it in a chest, and guarded it jealously.^6,7

Trouble arose when Meleager killed Althaea's brothers after they stole a prize from Atalanta.⁷ Grieving over the death of her brothers, Althaea was angered by Meleager, causing him to stay home.⁵ She cursed Meleager to death because of the killing of her brothers, a plea that some accounts say was directed against him for killing her sons instead.^7,8 Althaea beat the earth with her hands, knelt, and wept while praying to Hades and Persephone.⁵ Her prayers were heard by a Fury from Erebus, and the gods granted her curse.^9,5,7

In a fit of passion, Althaea burned the brand, causing Meleager's death.^7,1 This act defined her as a terrible mother who brought about the end of her most famous child.¹ After the death of Meleager, Althaea hanged herself.^8,7 She was told to take her daughter as a companion in the underworld.¹⁰