ARETHUSA (nymph who fled Alpheus)

The hunter Alpheius pursued Arethusa, and she refused to marry him.¹ She ran through Orchomenus, Psophis, Cyllene, and other regions while being chased.³ Her clothes were on the opposite bank, so she fled naked from Alpheus.³ Alpheus pursued her with increasing desire because she was naked.³ In her distress, she prayed to Dictynna for help against her pursuer.³ Dictynna hid her inside a dense cloud to conceal her from Alpheus.³ Alpheus circled the cloud twice while calling out Arethusa's name.³ The Delian Goddess split the earth, allowing Arethusa to sink through dark caverns to Ortygia.³ Arethusa was too weak to continue fleeing despite running over fields and mountains.³ On Ortygia, Arethusa was transformed into a spring due to her fear and exhaustion.^3,1

The fountain of Arethusa is located on the island of Ortygia, which is situated opposite Syracuse.^4,5 The waters of the river Alpheus mingle with the springs of Arethusa.^4,6 People claim it is the river Alpheus flowing from the Peloponnesus.⁷ It springs with such abundance that it immediately forms a river.⁷ The water is described as perfectly fit for drinking.⁷ The water flows directly into the sea.⁷ Arethusa passes under the sea due to a real hatred of it.⁸ Arethusa is the destination where the waters of the river Alpheus arrive after traveling beneath the sea.⁶ The mixing of waters led to the legend of a love affair between the river and Arethusa.⁹

Nymphs caused the fountain to gush forth to please the goddess Artemis.⁵ Pindar calls it a revered place where the Alpheus reappears.⁷ Arethusa receives bridal gifts consisting of leaves, flowers, and sacred soil carried by the river.⁶ The fountain contains large fish that are considered holy and forbidden to touch.⁵ Men who ate the sacred fish during war suffered great sufferings from the deity.⁵ Cestres tamed to the hand are found in the fountain of Arethusa.¹⁰ Eels wearing silver and golden earrings are found in the fountain of Arethusa.¹⁰ Eels in the fountain take food, entrails, and cheese from people.¹⁰ A chalice lost in the river at Olympia was found in its springs.⁷ Sacrifices of oxen at Olympia reportedly disturb the fountain.⁷

The people of Sicily are eager to sing songs about Arethusa.¹¹ Arethusa relates the story of her past romantic pursuit by a river from Elis.² A fountain named after the nymph is located on the island of Euboea.¹² Arethusa is identified as one of the fountains located in the region of Boeotia.¹³ The fountain of Arethusa is located near Chalcis.¹⁰