OENEUS (mythical king of Calydon)
Figure of myth · mythical king of Calydon
- Parents
- Porthaon, Euryte
- Siblings
- Melas, Agrius, Leucopeus, Sterope
- Consorts
- Althaea, Gorge, Periboea
- Children
- Tydeus, Deianira, Meleager, Gorge, Clymenus, Toxeus, Perimede, Agelaus, Q137841601, Thyreus, Melanippe, Mothone and 1 more
- Allies
- Heracles
- Haunts and cult places
- Calydon, Pleuron, Oenoe
- In the sources
- 70 ancient passages
Oeneus, son of Porthaon and Euryte, was a battle-loving king in Aetolia who resided in the city of Calydon.1,2,3,4,5,6 His family included the brothers Agrius and Melas, as well as the sister Sterope.1,2 Some accounts place his residence in the city of Pleuron, while others note he lived in a location far removed from Greece.7,8,9,10 He was the initial recipient of a vine plant from Dionysus, establishing his connection to the god of wine in the region. f433
Oeneus took Althaea, daughter of Thestius, as his wife, and from this union the hero Meleager was born. f12, f323,11,12 After Althaea’s death, he married Periboea, daughter of Hipponous, though the circumstances of this marriage varied among tellers. f79,13 According to one version, Olenus was sacked and Periboea was given to Oeneus as an honor gift, while Hesiod claimed Hipponous sent her with orders to kill her after she was seduced by Hippostratus. f14, f159,14,10 Oeneus refused to carry out the order to kill Periboea, and she bore him the son Tydeus. f52, f3013
Tragedy struck when Oeneus neglected to offer his harvest first-fruits to Artemis, a sin that angered the goddess. f612,15 In retaliation, Artemis sent the Calydonian boar to ravage his orchard lands, though her anger gradually lessened over time according to some accounts. f1016,17 His son Meleager organized the hunt for the boar, and Oeneus fought against the Thestiadae and Meleager over a boar’s head and skin.18,19,11 During the battle for Calydon, Oeneus stood at the threshold of his room, beating on the doors in supplication to implore Meleager for help. f57, f6520 He also sent his aging half-brother to protect his young son during this conflict. f4519
Oeneus formed an alliance with Heracles, who sought it by performing public works.21,22 The river-god Achelous approached Oeneus to give his daughter in marriage, and Deianira was given to Heracles as a prize for defeating the river.7,22 Heracles later described this marriage as ill-mated and miserable, calling the alliance with Oeneus the ruin of his life. f49, f5023 Some writers claim Heracles gave Oeneus the horn of Amaltheia as a bridal gift, further cementing their unusual bond. f3822
Oeneus’s reign ended when the sons of Agrius forced him from his royal throne, seized his kingdom, and imprisoned him. f47, f545,24 He was driven from Aetolia and took refuge with Diomedes in Argos, who treated him with the respect due to a grandfather. f9, f6024,5 Before his fall, he had gone to war against Thebes and Troy, and his son Meleager succeeded him as king of the Aetolians. f46, f5824,25 Oeneus was buried in a place that later became the city of Oenoe, leaving a legacy of kingship, divine wrath, and heroic offspring. f1824,5
The codex facts behind this entry
Oeneus is identified as the father of Deianira. Diodorus 4.37 +1
In the myths
Oeneus neglected to offer his harvest first-fruits to Artemis, a sin that angered her. Apollodorus 1.8.2 +4 Oeneus took refuge with Diomedes in Argos after being driven from his throne in Aetolia. Apollodorus 1.8.6 +2 Heracles accidentally killed Cyathus, a kinsman of Oeneus, during a feast, and the father pardoned him. Apollodorus 2.7.6 +1 According to the Thebaid, Oeneus received Periboea as an honor gift when Olenus was sacked. Apollodorus 1.8.4 +1 Hesiod claims Hipponous sent Periboea to Oeneus with orders to kill her after she was seduced by Hippostratus. Apollodorus 1.8.4 +1
Fate
Artemis sent the Calydonian boar to harm Oeneus's orchard lands in retaliation for his neglect, and her anger toward him gradually lessened over time according to some accounts. Diodorus 4.34 +2
