SALMONEUS (son of Aiolos in Greek mythology)
Figure of myth · son of Aiolos in Greek mythology
Salmoneus, son of the horse-loving king Aeolus, was a figure described as wicked and rash in character.1,2 He ruled as king of the Epeii and the Pisatae, governing the region where the river Enipeus originates.3,4 Some writers claim he was a king of Eleia instead of the Pisatis, and he initially resided in the region of Thessaly.5,6 He was the brother of Cretheus, Athamas, Sisyphus, Perieres, Deion, Magnes, Canace, Alcyone, Pisidice, Calyce, and Perimede.7,8 The same mother who bore Kretheus also gave birth to Salmoneus.2
Salmoneus married Alcidice, the daughter of Aleus, and they had a daughter named Tyro.9 Tyro loved the river Enipeus, which flowed through his kingdom.10,8,4 After his first wife died, he married a woman named Sidero.9 He led a group of Aeolians from Aeolis to found a city in Eleia, which he named Salmonia after his own name.9 He later traveled to Elis and established a new city there.6 During his rule, he banished Aetolus from Eleia to Aetolia.3
Salmoneus arrogantly claimed to be equal to the god Zeus and diverted religious sacrifices intended for Zeus to himself.6 He rode in a chariot drawn by four steeds, brandishing torches, and dragged dried hides with bronze kettles behind the chariot to simulate thunder.11,6 He threw lit torches into the sky to simulate lightning, imitating the thunder and fire of Zeus.6,11 He traveled through Elis demanding worship as a deity, triumphantly riding through throngs of Greeks.11 His subjects hated him because of his impious behavior.9
Zeus killed him with a thunderbolt due to his impiety, striking him down with a divine bolt.6,9,11 He was destroyed by a massive whirl of tempest.11 Zeus destroyed the city Salmoneus founded along with all its people.6 He was described as an overbearing and impious man.9
The codex facts behind this entry
Fate
Zeus killed him with a thunderbolt due to his impiety. Apollodorus 1.9.7 +1
