CALYDON (city in Aetolia)
Ancient Greek city in Aetolia
- Kind of place
- City
- Region
- Aetolia
- Patron
- Artemis
- People of myth here
- Althaea, Meleager, Oeneus, Calydonian Boar, Heracles
- Where
- 38.37° N, 21.53° E
Calydon is a rocky town located in the region of Aetolia. Iliad 9 ¶26 A boar, acting as Diana's avenger, threatened Calydon. Ovid Met. 8.260-546 Artemis held the specific title Laphria among the inhabitants of Calydon. Pausanias 4.31.7
Described in the sources
The people of Calydon worshipped Artemis above all other deities, and the ancient image of Artemis was originally set up in this city. Pausanias 4.31.7 +1 Tydeus fled from this city to Argos. Apollodorus 3.6.1 Pike are found in the waters of Calydon. Athenaeus 7.86 Calydon is identified as the home of Oeneus. Statius, Thebaid 1.668-695 ¶1 The city of Chalcis is located below Calydon. Strabo 9.4.8 Spoils from this city were given to Patrae by Augustus. Pausanias 7.18.9 Oeneus resided in this city and hosted the fleeing Alcmaeon. Apollodorus 3.7.5 The boar associated with this location was slain by Atalanta. Callimachus, Hymn 3 ¶10 Calydon is associated with the lordship of Parthaonia's house. Statius, Thebaid 1.668-695 ¶1 The city was still inhabited at the time of the events described. Pausanias 7.21.1
Stories and history
The Curetes attempted to destroy Calydon during their conflict with the Aetolians by scaling the city's walls and setting it on fire. Iliad 9 ¶24 +1 Calydon sought help from Theseus despite having Meleager. Ovid Met. 8.260-546 Meleager saved the city from being captured by the enemy. Iliad 9 ¶26 The tusks of the beast from this place are kept in Arcadia. Callimachus, Hymn 3 ¶10 Residents of this city served as priests of the god Dionysus. Pausanias 7.21.1 The Acarnanians came very close to capturing the city of Calydon. Pausanias 3.10.2 An image of Dionysus was brought from this city to another location. Pausanias 7.21.1 The city was described as not yet being odious to the goddess Diana. Ovid Met. 6.412-586 The city was threatened with being given over to flames and capture. Iliad 9 ¶26 Messenians adopted the cult of Artemis Laphria from the people of Calydon. Pausanias 4.31.7
Myths set at Calydon
- The Calydonian Boar Hunt. Artemis sends a giant boar to destroy Calydon because Oeneus neglected to include her in the sacrifice of the first fruits. The boar ravages the land, cattle, and people until it is finally killed, though Artemis's anger persists. Apollodorus 1.8.2 +5 Artemis
- The Defense of Calydon. Meleager refuses to defend Calydon against the Curetes after a dispute over rewards, but eventually joins the battle after his wife persuades him. He fights bravely but is wounded by a spear and leaves the city, having gained no material benefit from his defense. Apollodorus 1.8.3 +5 Meleager
- The Hunt of the Calydonian Boar. Artemis sends a destructive boar to Calydon because Meleager's father fails to appease her with sacrifices. Meleager leads a group of heroes to hunt the beast, kills it, and gives the prize to Atalanta out of love. Apollodorus 1.8.2 +5 Meleager
- Origin of the Image of Dionysus. An image of Dionysus, crafted by Hephaestus and gifted by Zeus to Dardanus, was transported from Calydon to a new location by a strange king. The story ends with the image being found inside a chest acquired by Eurypylus. Pausanias 7.19.6 +1 Dionysus
- The Sack of Calydon. hook: "Oeneus is trapped inside Calydon during a siege.", "goal: "Oeneus begs his son Meleager to defend the city.", "outcome": "Diomedes launches an expedition into Calydonia to assist Oeneus."} Iliad 9 ¶26 +1 Oeneus