ARCAS (son of Callisto)

Zeus rescued the infant Arcas from the fate of his dying mother, entrusting the baby to Maia for its upbringing in the region of Arcadia.² The god named the child Arcas himself.² Hera viewed the birth of this child as proof of Zeus's disgraceful conduct, a source of deep grief for the queen of the gods.³ In one account, goat-herds handed the infant and his mother to Lycaon, who served Zeus a meal containing the dismembered child, though other traditions preserve the boy's survival.^4,5

Arcas ascended to the throne following the death of Nyctimus, bringing new knowledge to his people.⁶ He learned crop cultivation from Triptolemus and the art of spinning from Adristas, then taught men how to make bread and weave clothes.⁶ The land was renamed Arcadia after his reign, and the inhabitants took the name Arcadians.^6,7,8 He resided in the region surrounding Lycaeum, where he introduced the cultivation of crops to the local populace.^5,6

Arcas wedded the Dryad nymph Erato, with whom he fathered Azan, Apheidas, and Elatus.^9,10,11,7 Accounts vary regarding the mothers of his other sons, with some naming Leanira, Meganira, or the nymph Chrysopelia.¹¹ He also had an illegitimate son named Autolaus, and is identified as the father of Diomeneia, Erymanthus, and Pelasgus in various traditions.^10,12,13,14 His son Elatus founded the city of Elateia in Phocis and assisted the god at Delphi during the Phlegyan attack.¹⁵ Arcas named the district of Azania after his son Azan and assigned the region of Tegea to his son Apheidas.¹⁶

Tragedy struck when Arcas pursued his mother Callisto with the Arcadians, about to kill her with a spear due to a specific law, until Zeus intervened.^1,4 The god transformed them into neighboring constellations in the sky, ending their earthly conflict.¹ The death of his son Axan led to the first athletic contests.¹⁷ His bones were transported from Maenalus to a location near the altar of Hera, following an oracle from Delphi.¹⁸ The Mantineans retrieved his bones from the Meeting of the Three Ways, where his grave lies in the storm-swept area known as Maenalia.^19,8 The specific spot of his burial is called the Altars of the Sun, marking the end of the king who gave his name to the land.^8,7