recursal/Fanatic-Fandom huggingface dataset:
Blemmyes

The Blemmeyes or Blemmai, also known as Sternophthalmoi or "Chest-Eyes", were a tribe of headless, African men with their faces set upon their chests.

The Chest-Eyes were popular in Medieval bestiaries and in the Terra Incognita illustrations of maps.

## Classical Text

"For the eastern region of Libya [i.e. North Africa], which the nomads inhabit, is low-lying and sandy as far as the Triton river; but the land west of this, where the farmers live, is exceedingly mountainous and wooded and full of wild beasts. In that country are the huge snakes and the lions, and the elephants and bears and asps, the horned asses, the Dog-Headed (Kynokephaloi) and the Headless (Akephaloi) men that have their eyes in their chests, as the Libyans say, and the wild men and women, besides many other creatures not fabulous."

- *Herodotus, Histories 4. 191. 3 (trans. Godley) (Greek historian C5th B.C.)*
Anankê

Anankê was the primordial goddess (protogenos) of necessity, compulsion and inevitability. In the Orphic cosmogony she emerged self-formed at the dawn of creation--an incorporeal, serpentine being whose outstretched arms encompassed the breadth of the cosmos. Anankê and her mate Khronos (Chronos) (Time), their serpentine coils entwined, crushed the primal egg of creation splitting it into its constituent parts of earth, heaven and sea to form the ordered universe. After their act of creation Anankê and Khronos encircled the cosmos to drive the rotation of the heavens and the eternal passage of time. They were beyond the reach of the younger gods whose fates they were sometimes said to control.

Possibly the only ancient representation of the goddess, the torch-bearing, winged figure right is labelled with her name.
Amphimakhus of Karia

In Greek mythology, **Amphimakhus** (Ἀμφίμαχος) derived from ἀμφί *amphi* "on both sides, in all directions, surrounding" and μάχη *mache* meaning "battle" was the son of Nomion.

## Mythology

Amphimakhus and his brother Nastes were captains of the Carian contingent on the side of the Trojans in the Trojan war. Either he or his brother were killed by Achilles; according to the commentary to the Iliad by Thomas D. Seymour, his brother Nastes was the one killed and of whom the armor and golden ornaments were subsequently stripped off.

## Classical Text

*"And Nastes again led the Carians, uncouth of speech, who held Miletus and the mountain of Phthires, dense with its leafage, and the streams of Maeander, and the steep crests of Mycale. These were led by captains twain, Amphimachus and Nastes—Nastes and Amphimachus, the glorious children of Nomion. And he came to the war all decked with gold, like a girl, fool that he was; but his gold in no wise availed to ward off woeful destruction; nay, he was slain in the river beneath the hands of the son of Aeacus, swift of foot; and Achilles, wise of heart, bare off the gold."*
- Homer, *Iliad* 2.866
Antiphos of Maeonia

Antiphus of Maeonia, son of Talaemenes and brother of Mesthles; both he and his brother were allies of Priam in the Trojan War.

## Classical Text

"And the Maeonians had captains twain, Mesthles and Antiphus, the two sons of TaIaemenes, whose mother was the nymph of the Gygaean lake; and they led the Maeonians, whose birth was beneath Tmolas."
- Homer, Iliad 2.864-2.865
Biênôr

## Classical Text

"Aphareus, eager to avenge him tried to lift a rock from that steep mountain side; but as he heaved, the son of Aegeus struck him squarely with an oaken club; and smashed, and broke the huge bones of that centaur's arm. He has no time, and does not want to give that useless foe to death. He leaps upon the back of tall Bienor, never trained to carry riders, and he fixed his knees firm in the centaur's ribs, and holding tight to the long hair, seized by his left hand, struck and shattered the hard features and fierce face and bony temples with his club of gnarled strong oak. And with it, he struck to the ground Nedymnus and Lycopes, dart expert, and Hippasus, whose beard hid all his breast. And Rhipheus taller than the highest trees and Thereus, who would carry home alive the raging bears, caught in Thessalian hills. Demoleon could no longer stand and look on Theseus and his unrestrained success. He struggled with vast effort to tear up an old pine, trunk and all, with its long roots, and, failing shortly in that first attempt, he broke it off and hurled it at his foe. But Theseus saw the pine tree in its flight and, warned by Pallas, got beyond its range—his boast was, Pallas had directed him! And yet, the missle was not launched in vain. It sheared the left shoulder and the breast from tall Crantor. He, Achilles, was your father's armor bearer and was given by King Amyntor, when he sued for peace.
- Ovid, Metamorphoses 12.341-12.365 (Roman epic C1st B.C. to C1st A.D.)
Briareôs

Briareôs (Βριαρεως) was one of the Hekantonkheires, three primordial hundred-handed, fifty-headed storm giants. He was more specifically a god of sea-storms and in this guise he was often named Aigaion (Of the Aegean). Briareos wed Poseidôn's daughter Kymopoleia and dwelt with her in the depths of the sea. His two brothers, on the other hand, were appointed guardians of the gates of the storm-pit Tartaros. Briareos' name was derived from the Greek word *briaros* meaning "stout" or "strong."
Aretus

## Classical Text

"By other women Priam had sons, to wit, Melanippus, Gorgythion, Philaemon, Hippothous, Glaucus, Agathon, Chersidamas, Evagoras, Hippodamas, Mestor, Atas, Doryclus, Lycaon, Dryops, Bias, Chromius, Astygonus, Telestas, Evander, Cebriones, Mylius, Archemachus, Laodocus, Echephron, Idomeneus, Hyperion, Ascanius, Democoon, Aretus, Deiopites, Clonius, Echemmon, Hypirochus, Aegeoneus, Lysithous, Polymedon; and daughters, to wit, Medusa, Medesicaste, Lysimache, and Aristodeme."

- Pseudo-Apollodorus, Bibliotheca 3.12.5
Aglaia (Daughter of King Thespius)

**Aglaia** was one of the fifty daughters of Thespius, King of Thespiae, Boeotia. She was one of the forty-nine of his fifty daughters to sleep with Herakles while he was in Thespiae. She would carry his son Antiades

## Family

### Parents

King Thespius and Queen Megamede or potentially one of Thespius' lovers

## Classical Text

*"by Aglaia he* [Herakles] *had Antiades*

- Apollod. Biblioteca 2.7.8
Argeios

## Classical Text

"Of the Centaurs which were killed the most renowned were Daphnis, Argeius, Amphion, also Hippotion, Oreius, Isoples, Malanchaetes, and Thereus, Doupon, and Phrixus. As for those who escaped the peril by flight, every one of them later received a fitting punishment: Homadus, for instance, was killed in Arcadia when he was attempting to violate Alcyonê, the sister of Eurystheus. And for this feat it came to pass that Heracles was marveled at exceedingly; for though he had private grounds for hating his enemy, yet because he pitied her who was being outraged, he determined to be superior to others in humanity."

*- Diodorus Siculus, Library of History*
Asterius (Son of Hyperasius)

Asterius was the son of Hyperasius. Asterius along with his brother Amphion were listed among the Argonauts.  He is mentioned by Apollonius of Rhodes, in Argonautica 1.176. what his role in the adventure was is in question.  There is some question over the name because while Apollonius names him Asterius, Hyginus names him as Asterion and in Apollonius' list of Argonauts there is one named Asterion who is the child of Kometes

## Ancient Text

*"Asterion and Amphion, sons of Hyperasius, others say of Hippasus, from Pellene".*

- Hyginus, Fabulae, 14

*"Asterius and Amphion, sons of Hyperasius, came from Achaean Pellene, which once Pelles their grandsire founded on the brows of Aegialus."*

- Apollonius of Rhodes, Argonautica 1.176
Amphidamas

Amphidamas and his brother Kepheus the sons of Aleus and Kleubule came from Arkadia to join the crew of the Argo.  This of course is according to Hyginus in Fabulae.

## Classical Text

*"Amphidamas and Cepheus, sons of Aleus and Cleobule, from Arcadia."*

- Hyginus, Fabulae, 14

*"Moreover from Arcadia came Amphidamas and Cepheus, who inhabited Tegea and the allotment of Apheidas"*

- Apollonius of Rhodes, Argonautica 1.61
Aithêr

Aithêr (Αιθηρ) was the primordial god (protogenos) of light and the bright, blue ether of the heavens. His mists filled the space between the solid dome of the sky (*ouranos*) and the transparent mists of the earth-bound air (*khaos, aer*). In the evening his mother Nyx drew her dark veil across the sky, obscuring the ether and bringing night. In the morn his sister and wife Hemera dispersed night's mist to reveal the shining blue ether of day. In the ancient cosmogonies night and day were regarded as elements separate from the sun.

Aither was one of the three "airs". The middle air was *aer* or *khaos*, a colourless mist which enveloped the mortal world. The lower air was *erebos*, the mists of darkness, which enveloped the dark places beneath the earth and the realm of the dead. The third was the upper air of *aither*, the mist of light and blue of the heavenly ether. The *aither* enveloped the mountain peaks, clouds, stars, sun and moon.

Aether's female counterpart was Aithre (Aethra), Titaness of the clear blue sky and mother of the sun and moon.
Anauros

Anauros (Αναυρος) was a river-god of Thessalia (Thessaly) in northern Greece.

The River Anauros was a small stream located near Mount Pelion in southern Thessalia which flowed into the Gulf of Pagasai (Pagasae) near the town of Iolkos (Iolcus). The hero Iason was said to have lost a sandal in its waters as he ferried the diguised goddess Hera across its stream. The most important neighboring rivers were the mighty Pêneios to the north and Sperkheios in Malis in the south-west.
Agathyrsus

Agathyrsus was the son of Herakles he was one of three born to the Skythian Drakaina

## Classical Text

"Herakles (Heracles), driving the cattle of Geryones, came to this land [Skythia (Scythia)], which was then desolate, but is now inhabited by the Skythians . . . Herakles came from there [the home of Geryones] to the country now called Skythia, where, encountering wintry and frosty weather, he drew his lion's skin over him and fell asleep, and while he slept his mares, which were grazing yoked to the chariot, were spirited away by divine fortune.

When Herakles awoke, he searched for them, visiting every part of the country, until at last he came to the land called the Hylaien (Woodland), and there he found in a cave a creature of double form [i.e. the Skythian Drakaina] that was half maiden and half serpent (ekhidna); above the buttocks she was a woman, below them a snake. When he saw her he was astonished, and asked her if she had seen his mares straying; she said that she had them, and would not return them to him before he had intercourse with her; Herakles did, in hope of this reward.

But though he was anxious to take the horses and go, she delayed returning them, so that she might have Herakles with her for as long as possible; at last she gave them back, telling him, ‘These mares came, and I kept them safe here for you, and you have paid me for keeping them, for I have three sons by you. Now tell me what I am to do when they are grown up : shall I keep them here, since I am queen of this country, or shall I send them away to you?’

Thus she inquired, and then (it is said) Herakles answered : ‘When you see the boys are grown up, do as follows and you will do rightly: whichever of them you see bending this bow and wearing this belt so, make him an inhabitant of this land; but whoever falls short of these accomplishments that I require, send him away out of the country. Do so and you shall yourself have comfort, and my will shall be done.’

So he drew one of his bows (for until then Herakles always carried two), and showed her the belt, and gave her the bow and the belt, that had a golden vessel on the end of its clasp; and, having given them, he departed. But when the sons born to her were grown men, she gave them names, calling one of them Agathyrsos and the next Gelonos and the youngest Skythes (Scythes); furthermore, remembering the instructions, she did as she was told. Two of her sons, Agathyrsos and Gelonos, were cast out by their mother and left the country, unable to fulfill the requirements set; but Skythes, the youngest, fulfilled them and so stayed in the land. From Skythes son of Herakles comes the whole line of the kings of Skythia; and it is because of the vessel that the Skythians carry vessels on their belts to this day. This alone his mother did for Skythes. This is what the Greek dwellers in Pontus say."
- *Herodotus, Histories 4. 9. 1 ff*
Alkible

Alkible was one of the Amazons who came with Penthesileia to fight in the the Trojan War. Killed by Diomedes at Troy.

## Classical Text

And with her followed twelve beside, each one a princess, hot for war and battle grim, far-famous each, yet handmaids unto her: Penthesileia far outshone them all. As when in the broad sky amidst the stars the moon rides over all pre-eminent, when through the thunderclouds the cleaving heavens open, when sleep the fury-breathing winds; so peerless was she mid that charging host. Clonie was there, Polemusa, Derinoe, Evandre, and Antandre, and Bremusa, Hippothoe, dark-eyed Harmothoe, Alcibie, Derimacheia, Antibrote, and Thermodosa glorying with the spear. All these to battle fared with warrior-souled Penthesileia: even as when descends Dawn from Olympus' crest of adamant, Dawn, heart-exultant in her radiant steeds amidst the bright-haired Hours; and o'er them all, how flawless-fair soever these may be, her splendour of beauty glows pre-eminent; so peerless amid all the Amazons unto Troy-town Penthesileia came. To right, to left, from all sides hurrying thronged the Trojans, greatly marvelling, when they saw the tireless War-god's child, the mailed maid, like to the Blessed Gods; for in her face glowed beauty glorious and terrible. Her smile was ravishing: beneath her brows, her love-enkindling eyes shone like to stars, and with the crimson rose of shamefastness bright were her cheeks, and mantled over them unearthly grace with battle-prowess clad.

- Quintus Smyrnaeus. *Fall of Troy* i, 40 - i 72.
Aisakos (Kentauroi Lamioi)

Aisakos along with the eleven other rustic demi-gods had been appointed guardians for the future Olympian Dionysos while the Nysiades took care of the baby. When Hera learned that the Daimones had been protecting the baby she turned them into ox-horned centaurs. Despite his change, Aisakos and the other Daimones change they still stayed loyal and were with him when he made war in India. They were among the first of his followers.
Ajax the Lesser

During The Trojan War
Ajax the Lesser might have been short in stature, but he was fleet of foot, and deadly with the spear. Locrian Ajax acquitted himself well during the Trojan War, and may have killed as many as 14 named Trojan defenders.

Homer names Ajax as the killer of Satnius, son of Enops, by a spear in his side, and Kleobulus, with a sword in the neck. Additionally, Ajax probably also killed the Amazons Derinoe, Gavius and Amphimedon.

Ajax would often be found in the company of Ajax the Greater, and as a fighting pair, they were called the Aiantes. Thus, Ajax the Lesser was prominent in the defense of the Akhaean ships, and also in the defense of the body of Patroklos. It was also said that Ajax the Lesser volunteered to face Hektor in single combat.

Unlike Ajax the Greater, Ajax the Lesser would survive until the end of the war, and was named as one of the Akhaeans who hid in the belly of the Wooden Horse and took part in the Sacking of Troy.

Away from the fighting Ajax was considered to be a quarrelsome individual and an antagonist of Odysseus; with the antipathy between the pair evident when during the funeral games, Odysseus beat Ajax the Lesser in a foot race, although Odysseus only won because he was favored by the goddess Athena.
Anikêtos

Anikêtos (Ανικητος) whose name means "unconquerable" is a minor god of wrestling. He along with his brother Alexiarês presided over the defense and fortification of towns and citadels. Anikêtos and Alexiarês are sons of Herakles and Hebe who were born after the hero's ascension to Olympus. The pair were probably the gatekeepers of Olympus, a role which was also assigned to their immortal father.

Aniketos and Alexiares were probably the same as the "Princes"--two boy-god sons of Herakles worshipped in Thebes. In Aiskhylos' play the *Seven Against Thebes*, Zeus is invoked as Alexeterios by the defending Thebans.
Aethilla

In Greek mythology, Aethilla (Αἴθιλλα) was a daughter of Laomedon and sister of Priam, Astyokhe, and Medesikaste.

## Mythology

After the fall of Troy Aethilla became the prisoner of Protesilaus, who took her, together with other captives, with him on his voyage home. He landed in Thrace in order to take in fresh water. While Protesilaus had gone inland, Aethilla persuaded her fellow prisoners to set fire to the ships. As a result of this being done, the Greeks were forced to remain on the spot and founded the town of Scione. According to other authors, the event took place in Italy; in commemoration of it, the nearby river received the name Nauaethus ("of the burning ships"), while Aethilla, Astyoche, and Medesicaste were surnamed the Nauprestidai ("they who set fire to ships").

In some accounts, it was a Trojan captive woman named Setaia who convinced her fellow prisoners to set fire to the ships. Setaia was crucified by the Greeks for doing so, but a town and a rock located on the spot where this had happened (not far from Sybaris) were named after her.

In Virgil's Aeneid, during Aeneas' and his fellow Trojans' stay in Sicily, some of the women set fire to their ships in order to make Aeneas settle where they were staying at the moment rather than sail further; even though the fire is quickly put down, several ships have been destroyed so some of Aeneas' people have to remain in Sicily, where they found Acesta (Segesta). This story is remarkably parallel to that of Aethilla and her fellow prisoners, but the characters are different: Virgil mentions Beroe, wife of a Doryclus, as the one who instigated the arson, and Pyrgo, the nurse of Priam, among those who supported her decision.

According to Strabo, the Sicilian river Neaethus (a variant for "Nauaethus") was called that because when "certain of the Achaeans who had strayed from the Trojan fleet" landed near it and went inland to explore the country, the Trojan women who were sailing with them, both being tired of the long voyage and having observed the fertility of the land, set fire to the ships in order to make the men stay there. Thus, Strabo's account contains elements of all the versions given above.
Astyokhe (Daughter of King Laomedon)

Astyokhe, daughter of Laomedon by Strymo, Plakia or Leukippe, sister of Priam, wife of Telephus and mother of Eurypylus. She was bribed by Priam with a gold vine to persuade Eurypylus to go to the Trojan War, which resulted in him being killed in the battle (cf. the story of Eriphyle). Together with Aethilla and Medesicaste, she was taken captive after the sack of Troy and set fire to the Greek ships during their stay on the Italian coast.
Agapenor

**Agapenor** (Ancient Greek: Ἀγαπήνωρ, *gen.* Ἀγαπήνορος) was a leader of the Arcadians in the Trojan war

## Family

Agapenor was a son of Ancaeus, and grandson of Lycurgus.

## Mythology

As king of the Arcadians, Agapenor received sixty ships from Agamemnon, in which he led his Arcadians to Troy. He also occurs among the suitors of Helen and one of the men to be in the Trojan Horse.

On Agapenor's return from Troy he was cast by a storm on the coast of Cyprus, where he founded the town of Paphos and in it the famous temple of Aphrodite. He also occurs in the story of Alcmaeon: it was to him that Arsinoe (Alphesiboea), Alcmaeon's wife was sold away by her own brothers.

Agapenor had a daughter Laodice, who was known for having sent to Tegea a robe as a gift to Athena Alea, and to have built a temple of Aphrodite Paphia in Tegea.
Aphareus

## Classical Text

"Aphareus, eager to avenge him tried to lift a rock from that steep mountain side; but as he heaved, the son of Aegeus struck him squarely with an oaken club; and smashed, and broke the huge bones of that centaur's arm. He has no time, and does not want to give that useless foe to death. He leaps upon the back of tall Bienor, never trained to carry riders, and he fixed his knees firm in the centaur's ribs, and holding tight to the long hair, seized by his left hand, struck and shattered the hard features and fierce face and bony temples with his club of gnarled strong oak. And with it, he struck to the ground Nedymnus and Lycopes, dart expert, and Hippasus, whose beard hid all his breast. And Rhipheus taller than the highest trees and Thereus, who would carry home alive the raging bears, caught in Thessalian hills. Demoleon could no longer stand and look on Theseus and his unrestrained success. He struggled with vast effort to tear up an old pine, trunk and all, with its long roots, and, failing shortly in that first attempt, he broke it off and hurled it at his foe. But Theseus saw the pine tree in its flight and, warned by Pallas, got beyond its range—his boast was, Pallas had directed him! And yet, the missle was not launched in vain. It sheared the left shoulder and the breast from tall Crantor. He, Achilles, was your father's armor bearer and was given by King Amyntor, when he sued for peace."
- Ovid, Metamorphoses 12.341-12.365 (Roman epic C1st B.C. to C1st A.D.)
Automate

Automate was the daughter of King Danaus and Europe.  She took part in the mass marriage of the fifty sons of King Aigyptos.  She was wed to Busiris.  That night, she and forty-eight of her forty-nine sisters and half sisters killed (on her fathers command) her husband.

## Family

### Spouse & Lovers

Busiris
Arkhiteles

## Punishment

When Automate and the other Danaids who had murdered their husbands they were sent to Tartarus and were forced to carry water from the river Styx in bowls (or jars according to some) with holes over to a tub which leaks at multiple parts.  Automate and the others were told only when they lled the tub could they wash away their sins. The Danaids continue this essentially impossible task to this very day.

## Classical Text

"...of the rest Busiris, Enceladus, Lycus, and Daiphron obtained by lot the daughters that had been borne to Danaus by Europe, to wit, Automate, Amymone, Agave, and Scaea."
Celtus

## Classical Text

*"Hercules, it is told, after he had taken the king of Geryones from Erythea, was wandering through the country of the Celts and came to the house of Bretannus, who had a daughter called Celtine. Celtine fell in love with Hercules and hid away the kine, refusing to give them back to him unless he would first content her. Hercules was indeed very anxious to bring the kine safe home, but he was far more struck by the girl’s exceeding beauty, and consented to her wishes; and then, when the time had come round, a son called Celtus was born to them, from whom the Celtic race derived their name."*

- Parthenius, Love Romances, 30
Autonoe (Danaid)

Autonoe was one of the fifty daughters born to Danaus and Polyxô.  She along with her sisters (and half-sisters) were married to sons of Aigyptos (by his various wives). The night of the mass marriage, she along with forty-eight of her forty-nine sisters and half sisters slew their husbands with knives provided by their own father.
Alkyonê (Pleiad)

Alkyonê (Αλκυονη) was a Pleiad-nymph of Mount Kithairon (Cithaeron) in Boiotia loved by the god Poseidon.

Alkyone's name means either "strong-helper" from the Greek words *alkê* and *oneô* (*oninêmi*) or "kingfisher" from *alkyôn*. References to birds are also found in the name Peleiades "doves" and Merope the "bee-eater" (Greek *merops*).

## Family

### Children

Hyrieus
Lykos
Aithousa
Anthas
Ephokeus
Agrios

Agrios (Αγριος) was one of the Gigantes sent to fight the Olympians during the Gigantomachia. Supposedly, Agrios and Thoon were created to replace The Moirai.

## Gigantomachia

During the Gigantomachia Klôthô, Lakhesis and Atropos emerged to beat Agrios and Thoon to death with bronze maces. The involvement of Herakles or possibly either of the Dioskouros.

## Trivia

The emergence of the Moirai is noteworthy because in general they do not interfere with matters. Other than their uncharacteristic interference with the Storm Giant Typhon, their fight in the Gigantomachia was the only other time they left their loom.
Aegius

Aegius was one of the fifty sons of King Aigyptos. Aegius' mother was an unnamed phoenikian woman. The same woman that gave birth to Aegius bore six other sons to Aigyptos. In the mass wedding of the sons of Aigyptos to the daughters of Danaus, Aegius wed Mnestra.

## Classical Text

"Agaptolemus got Pirene; Cercetes got Dorium; Eurydamas got Phartis; Aegius got Mnestra; Argius got Evippe; Archelaus got Anaxibia; Menemachus got Nelo. These seven sons were begotten on a Phoenician woman and the maidens on an Ethiopian woman"

- Pseudo-Apollodorus, Bibliotheca 2.1.5 (Greek mythographer C2nd A.D.)
Boutes (Argonaut)

Boutes was a Lord of Attika (in Southern Greece).  Boutes joined up and became one of the Argonauts.

When the Argonauts were sailing past the Sirens, he was the only one who was unable resist the charm of their singing, swimming off to them. Aphrodite saved Boutes by transferring him to Lilybaeum in Sicily, where he became her lover.  Aphrodite bore Boutes a son, Eryx.

## Classical Text

*"After them from Cecropia came warlike Butes, son of brave Teleon, and Phalerus of the ashen spear. Alcon his father sent him forth; yet no other sons had he to care for his old age and livelihood. But him, his well-beloved and only son, he sent forth that amid bold heroes he might shine conspicuous. But Theseus, who surpassed all the sons of Erechtheus, an unseen bond kept beneath the land of Taenarus, for he had followed that path with Peirithous; assuredly both would have lightened for all the fulfilment of their toil."*

- Apollonius of Rhodes, Argonautica 1.95

*"As they [the Argonautoi] sailed past the Seirenes, Orpheus kept the Argonautoi in check by singing a song that offset the effect of the sisters' singing. The only one to swim off to them was Boutes, whom Aphrodite snatched up and settled at Lilybaion."*

- Pseudo-Apollodorus, Bibliotheca 1. 135 (trans. Aldrich) (Greek mythographer C2nd A.D.)
Anthaeia

Anthaeia or Anthea was one of the fifty daughters of Thespius, King of Thespiae, Boeotia. She was one of the forty-nine of his fifty daughters to sleep with Herakles while he was in Thespiae. She would bare him a son whose name was not mentioned by Appolodorus.

## Classical Text

"by Anthea ..."
-Apollodorus.Biblioteca, 2.7.8
Cuckoo

In Greek mythology, the **Cuckoo** is one of Hera's sacred, Greek goddess of women and marriage, birds.

## Myth

Zeus initially courted Hera, but after many unsuccessful attempts, he resorted to trickery. He transformed himself into a disheveled cuckoo and seemed to be frozen. Hera, feeling sorry for this bird, held it to her breast to keep it warm. Zeus then resumed his normal form and taking advantage of Hera's surprise, he raped her. Hera then married him to cover her shame; their marriage was turbulent and they often clashed.f
Briseis

**Brisēís** (Βρισηΐς) whose name means "daughter of Briseus", is a significant character in the *Iliad*. Her role as a status symbol is at the heart of the dispute between Akhilles and Agamemnon that initiates the plot of Homer's epic. She was married to Mynes, a son of King Euenus of Lyrnessus, until Akhilles sacked her city and enslaved her shortly before the events of the poem. Being forced to give Briseis to Agamemnon, Akhilles refused to re-enter the battle.
Aegea

**Aegea** is a back-formation from "Aegean", the sea that was named after an eponymous Aegeus in early levels of Greek mythology. The *Encyclopædia Britannica* (1911) mentioned an **Aegea,** queen of the Amazons, as an alternative eponym of the Aegean Sea. Legend says she commanded an army of Amazon women warriors that traveled from Libya to Asia Minor to fight at Troy, and that she perished at sea with her army.
Amymone

Amymone was the daughter of Europe and King Danaus. She was one of the fifty daughters of Danaus who were married to the fifty sons of King Aigyptos (Danaus' twin brother). On the night of her wedding, she like forty-eight of her forty-nine sisters and half-sisters murdered her husband at the command of their father. In Amymone's case, she killed Enkelados

## Family

### Spouse & Lovers

Enkelados
Poseidôn

## Punishment

When Amymone and the other Danaids who had murdered their husbands they were sent to Tartarus and were forced to carry water from the river Styx in bowls (or jars according to some) with holes over to a tub which leaks at multiple parts. Amymone and the others were told only when they filled the tub could they wash away their sins. The Danaids continue this essentially impossible task to this very day.

## Classical Text

"...of the rest Busiris, Enceladus, Lycus, and Daiphron obtained by lot the daughters that had been borne to Danaus by Europe, to wit, Automate, Amymone, Agave, and Scaea."
Ankhios

## Classical Text

"[Herakles] passing through [Mount] Pholoe [in Arkadia (Arcadia)] was entertained by the Kentauros Pholos (Centaur Pholus), a son of Seilenos (Silenus) by a Melias Nymphe (Melian Nymph). He set roast meat before Herakles, while he himself ate his meat raw. When Herakles called for wine, he said he feared to open the jar which belonged to the Kentauroi (Centaurs) in common. But Herakles, bidding him be of good courage, opened it, and not long afterwards, scenting the smell, the Kentauroi arrived at the cave of Pholos, armed with rocks and firs. The first who dared to enter, Ankhios (Anchius) and Agrios (Agrius), were repelled by Herakles with a shower of brands, and the rest of them he shot and pursued as far as Malea. There they took refuge with Kheiron, who, after the Lapithes (Lapiths) had driven him from Mount Pelion, settled on Malea. Thence they took refuge with Kheiron (Chiron), who, driven by the Lapithes from Mount Pelion, took up his abode at Malea.

As the Kentauroi cowered about Kheiron, Herakles shot an arrow at them, which, passing through the arm of Elatos (Elatus), stuck in the knee of Kheiron. Distressed at this, Herakles ran up to him, drew out the shaft, and applied a medicine which Kheiron gave him. But the hurt proving incurable, Kheiron retired to the cave and there he wished to die, but he could not, for he was immortal. However, Prometheus offered himself to Zeus to be immortal in his stead, and so Kheiron died. [N.B. In other versions of this story Pholos was the one wounded by the poison arrow.]

The remaining Kentauroi (Centaurs) fled this way and that, som to Mount Malea, Eurytion to Pholoe, Nessos to the Euenus (Evenus) river. The rest were taken in at Eleusis by Poseidon, who hid them away on a mountain. As for Pholos, as he was pulling an arrow out of a corpse, he marvelled that such a little object could destroy such enormous adversaries. Just then it slipped from his hand, fell on his foot and instantly killed him. When Herakles returned to Pholoe, he found Pholos dead, so he buried him and proceeded on to find the boar."

*Pseudo-Apollodorus, Bibliotheca 2. 83 - 87 (Greek mythographer C2nd A.D.) :*
Aristaios (Satyros)

ARISTAIOS (Aristaeus) was the rustic god of shepherds and cheesemaking, beekeeping, honey and honey-mead, olive growing and oil milling, medicinal herbs, hunting, and the Etesian winds which provided some respite from the scorching heat of midsummer. His name was derived from the Greek word *aristos*, "most excellent" or "most useful."
Askalaphus of Orkhomenus

In Greek mythology, **Ascalaphus** or **Askalaphus** (/əˈskæləfəs/; Ancient Greek: Ἀσκάλαφος *Askalaphos*), was son of Ares and Astyoche. Ascalaphus (sometimes Askalaphus) was king of Orchomenus, and twin brother of Ialmenos. He and his twin were counted among the Argonauts and the suitors of Helen, and led the Orchomenian contingent in the Trojan War, where Deiphobos threw a spear and killed him.
Antilokhus

In Greek mythology, **Antilokhus** (Ἀντίλοχος) was a prince of Pylos and one of the Akhaeans in the Trojan War.

## Family

Antilokhus was the son of King Nestor either by Anaxibia or Eurydike. He was the brother to Thrasymedes, Pisidice, Polycaste, Perseus, Stratichus, Aretus, Echephron and Pisistratus.

## Mythology

One of the suitors of Helen of Troy, Antilochus accompanied his father and his brother Thrasymedes to the Trojan War. He was distinguished for his beauty, swiftness of foot, and skill as a charioteer. Though the youngest among the Greek princes, he commanded the Pylians in the war and performed many deeds of valour. He was a favorite of the gods and a friend of Achilles, to whom he was commissioned to announce the death of Patroclus.

When his father Nestor was attacked by Memnon, Antilochus sacrificed himself to save him, thus fulfilling an oracle which had warned to "beware of an Ethiopian." Antilochus' death was avenged by Achilles, who drove the Trojans back to the gates, where he is killed by Paris. In later accounts, he was slain by Hector or by Paris in the temple of the Thymbraean Apollo together with Achilles His ashes, along with those of Achilles and Patroclus, were enshrined in a mound on the promontory of Sigeion, where the inhabitants of Ilium offered sacrifice to the dead heroes. In the Odyssey, the three friends are represented as united in the underworld and walking together in the Asphodel Meadows. According to Pausanias, they dwell together on the island of Leuke.

Among the Trojans he killed were Melanippus, Ablerus, Atymnius, Phalkes, Ekhepolos, and Thoon, although Hyginus records that he only killed two Trojans. At the funeral games of Patroclus, Antilochus finished second in the chariot race and third in the foot race.

Antilochus left behind in Messenia a son Paeon, whose descendants were among the Neleidae expelled from Messenia, by the descendants of Heracles.
Bremusa

**Bremusa** (Βρεμούσα) was one of 12 Amazonian warriors. Her name means "Raging Female". She was born in Themiskyra in 1204 BC and fought with Penthesileia. She was killed outside of Troy, by Idomeneus, son of Deukalion.

## Classical Text

And with her followed twelve beside, each one a princess, hot for war and battle grim, far-famous each, yet handmaids unto her: Penthesileia far outshone them all. As when in the broad sky amidst the stars the moon rides over all pre-eminent, when through the thunderclouds the cleaving heavens open, when sleep the fury-breathing winds; so peerless was she mid that charging host. Clonie was there, Polemusa, Derinoe, Evandre, and Antandre, and Bremusa, Hippothoe, dark-eyed Harmothoe, Alcibie, Derimacheia, Antibrote, and Thermodosa glorying with the spear. All these to battle fared with warrior-souled Penthesileia: even as when descends Dawn from Olympus' crest of adamant, Dawn, heart-exultant in her radiant steeds amidst the bright-haired Hours; and o'er them all, how flawless-fair soever these may be, her splendour of beauty glows pre-eminent; so peerless amid all the Amazons unto Troy-town Penthesileia came. To right, to left, from all sides hurrying thronged the Trojans, greatly marvelling, when they saw the tireless War-god's child, the mailed maid, like to the Blessed Gods; for in her face glowed beauty glorious and terrible. Her smile was ravishing: beneath her brows, her love-enkindling eyes shone like to stars, and with the crimson rose of shamefastness bright were her cheeks, and mantled over them unearthly grace with battle-prowess clad.

- Quintus Smyrnaeus. *Fall of Troy* i, 40 - i 72.
Agamemnon

Agamemnon was one of the suitors of Helen. When the Trojan War occured, he commanded the Akhaean leader.

## Family

### Spouse & Lovers

Klytaimnḗstra (Wife)
Kassandra

### Children

Iphigenia (with Klytaimnḗstra)
Êlektrê (with Klytaimnḗstra)
Khrysothemis (with Klytaimnḗstra)
Orestes (with Klytaimnḗstra)
Pelops (with Kassandra)
Teledamus (with Kassandra)
Ampelos (Satyros)

AMPELOS was a handome, young Thrakian Satyros (Satyr) loved by the god Dionysos. There were two accounts of his death. In one he was slain by a wild bull and transformed by the grieving god into the first grapevine. In the other Ampelos fell from an elm tree while picking grapes and was set amongst the stars as the constellation Vindemitor or Vindiatrix (better known as Bootes).
Baphyras

Baphyras was a river-god of Pieria in Makedonia, northern Greece.

The River Baphyras had its headwaters on Mount Olympos in Pieria where it flowed east for a short distance under the name Helikon before disappearing into a cleft in the earth. It re-emerged later as the stream Baphyras which emptied into the Aegean Sea near the town of Dion. The most important neighboring rivers were the Haliakmôn to the north, and Pêneios to the south.
Biantes

## Classical Text

"SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF PRIAM TO THE NUMBER OF LV: Hector, Deiphobus, Cebriones, Polydorus, Helenus, Alexander, Hipposidus, Antinous, Agathon, Dius, Mestor, Lysides, Polymedon, Ascanius, Chirodamas, Evagoras, Dryops, Astynomus, Polymelus, Laodice, Ethionome, Phegea, Henicea, Demnosia, Cassandra, Philomela, Polites, Troilus, Palaemon, Brissonius, Gorgythion, Protodamas, Aretus, Dolon, Chromius, Eresus, Chrysolaus, Demosthea, Doryclus, Hippasus, Hyperochus, Lysianassa, Iliona, Nereis, Evander, Proneos, Archemachus, Ilagus, Axion, Binates, Hippothous, Deiopites, Medusa, Hero, Creusa."
Damasen

**Damasen** (Δαμασην) was one of the Gigantes, son of Gaea and Tartaros, born to oppose Ares. However, because Ares was the god of war, bloodlust and bloodshed, his opposite would have been peaceful (as peaceful as a 20 foot tall Giant can be). During the War with the Giants, Damasen was the only that did not fight.

## Time in Lydia

Damasen lived in Lydia. His most famous deed was the killing of the Maeonian Drakon, which attacked the people of Lydia. One day the Drakon attacked a friend of his. Damasan responded by fighting the Maeonian Drakon, uprooting a tree and slamming it through the Drakon's skull
Anthelia

Antheleia was one of the fifty Danaids (Daughters of Danaus) who took part in the mass marriage to the sons of Aigyptos (Danaus' twin brother). Antheleia married Kisseus whose mother Kaliadne happened to be the sister of Polyxô (Antheleia's mother) this made the relations between Anthelia and her husband even more incestuous. The night of the marriage Antheleia along with all but one of the daughters of Danaus slew their husbands.
Arakhnê

Arakhnê (Arachne) was a prideful girl of Kolophon in Lydia who once dared challenge the goddess Athena to a weaving contest. Athena worked her loom to depict the gods seated in their glory upon high thrones while Arakhne mocked them with a scene of animal-shaped deities trysting with mortal girls. The goddess was enraged at her impiety and beat the girl with a shuttle, driving Arakhe to hang herself in despair. The dangling maiden was then fittingly transformed into a spider (Greek *arakhnês*).
Aktis

**Aktis** (Ἀκτίς) was one of the Heliadae, a son of Rhodê and Helios. Aktis, along with his brothers, Triopas, Makar and Kandalus, were jealous of a fifth brother, Tenages's, skill at science. They killed him and Aktis escaped to Egypt. According to Diodorus Siculus, Aktis built the city of Heliopolis in Egypt to honor his father Helios. It was from him that the Egyptians learned astrology.
Asteriôn

Asteriôn was a river-god of Argos in the Peloponnese, southern Greece. He and his brother-rivers, Inakhos and Kephisos (Cephisus), were once called upon to judge a contest between Poseidon and Hera for dominion of the land. When they decided in favor of Hera, the god retaliated by drying up their streams.

The Asterion stream flowed west of the town of Mykenai (Mycenae) before disappearing into a cleft in the earth near the Heraion (Temple of Hera). It was a tributary of the river Inakhos.
Eubote

**Eubote** was one of the daughters of Thespius, King of Thespiae, Boeotia. She was one of the forty-nine of his daughters to sleep with Herakles while he was in Thespia. She would bare Eurypylus.

## Family

### Parents

King Thespius & Queen Megamede or potentially one of Thespius' Mistress (Mother)

## Classical Text

by Eubote he [Herakles] had Eurypylus."

-Apollodorus.Biblioteca, 2.7.8
Axion

Axion, son of Priam of Troy, who was killed by Eurypylus, son of Euaemon during the Trojan War.

## Classical Text

"Higher up than Coroebus are Priam, Axion and Agenor. Lescheos says that Priam was not killed at the hearth of the Courtyard God, but that he was dragged away from the altar and fell an easy prey to Neoptolemus at the gate of his own palace. As to Hecuba, Stesichorus says in the Sack of Troy that she was brought by Apollo to Lycia. Lescheos says that Axion was a son of Priam, killed by Eurypylus, the son of Euaemon. According to the same poet Agenor was slain by Neoptolemus. So it would appear that Echeclus the son of Agenor was slaughtered by Achilles, and Agenor himself by Neoptolemus."
- Pausanias, *Graeciae Descriptio* 10.27.2
Arkê

Arkê (Arce) was the messenger of the Titan-gods and sister of the rainbow-goddess Iris. During the Titan War the two goddesses served on opposite sides--Iris became the messenger of the Olympian Gods and Arke assumed the role of messenger of the Titanes. At the end of the war, Zeus stripped her of her wings, and cast her into the pit of Tartaros. Arke may have represented the faded secondary rainbow which is sometimes seen in the sky in the shadow of the first.
Ankaeus (Son of Poseidon)

Ankaeus was the son of Poseidon as well as being the King of Samos.  Ankaeus was listed among the Argonauts.  When fellow Argonaut Tiphys who was the original helmsman died, Ankaeus took over the duty. This is told by Hyginus in Fabulae, 14

## Children

Perilaus

Enudus

Samus

Alitherses

Parthenope

## Death

While he was one of the Argonauts, the story of his death is the better known. Before leaving on the expedition with the Argonauts Ankaeus had planted a vineyard (Samos being well known for its wine). A seer told Ankaeus that he would never live to taste its wine. Despite all the dangers he and his fellow Argonauts faced, Ankaeus made it home safely by which time the grapes were ripe and had been made into wine. Ankaeus' return was to be celebrated before he drank his toast he had the seer come so he could mock the seer's prophecy. The seer replied "There is many a slip between the cup and the lip." Suddenly an alarm was sounded and word that a wild boar was ravaging the vineyard came. Ankaeus immediately dropped the cup and went out to investigate – and was promptly killed by the boar. As he had never had the chance to drink at his toast the prophecy was fulfilled.
Astyokhê

Astyokhê (Αστυοχη) was the Naiad-nymph of a fresh-water spring or fountain of the town of Troy in the Troad (Anatolia). Her son Tros was the eponymous founding-king of the city.

## Classical Text

"Erikhthonios (Erichthonius) inherited the rule [of the kingdom of the Troad], after marrying [the river] Simoeis' daughter Astyokhe (Astyoche) and fathering Tros."
Antimakhos

## Classical Text

"Five of the centaurs Caeneus put to death: Styphelus, Bromus, and Antimachus, Elymus, and Pyracmos with his axe. I have forgot their wounds but noted well their names and number. Latreus, huge of limb, had killed and stripped Emathian Halesus. Now in his armor he came rushing out, in years he was between old age and youth; but he retained the vigor of his youth; his temples showed his hair was mixed with grey. Conspicuous for his Macedonian lance and sword and shield, facing both sides -- each way, he insolently clashed his arms; and while he rode poured out these words in empty air. `Shall I put up with one like you, O Caeneus? For you are still a woman in my sight. Have you forgot your birth or that disgrace by which you won reward—at what a price you got the false resemblance to a man?! Consider both your birth, and what you have submitted to! Take up a distaff, and wool basket! Twist your threads with practiced thumb! Leave warfare to your men!’ While puffed-up pride was vaunting out such nonsense, Caeneus hurled a spear and pierced the stretched out running side, just where the man was joined upon the horse. The Centaur, Latreus, raved with pain and struck with his great pike, the face of Caeneus. His pike rebounded as the hail that slants up from the roof; or as a pebble might rebound from hollow drum. Then coming near, he tried to drive a sword into the hard side of Caeneus, but it could not make a wound. ‘Aha!’ he cried, ‘this will not get you off. The good edge of my sword will take your life, although the point is blunt!’ He turned the edge against the flank of Caeneus and swung round the hero's loins with his long, curving arm. The flesh resounded like a marble block, the keen blade shattered on the unyielding skin. And, after Caeneus had exposed his limbs unhurt to Latreus, who stood there amazed, `Come now,’ he said, `and let us try my steel against your body!’ And, clear to the hilt, down through the monster's shoulder-blade he plunged his deadly sword and, turning it again, deep in the Centaur's entrails, made new wounds within his wound.
- Ovid, Metamorphoses 12.459-12.493 (Roman epic C1st B.C. to C1st A.D.)
Astydameia

Astydameia was the mother of Ktesippus by Herakles. In one source, she is the daughter of Amyntor and Cleobule. Another account makes her the daughter of Ormenius, king of Pelasgiotis. Heracles, the same source relates, wooed her, but Ormenius would not marry her to him since Herakles was already married to Deianira. Heracles then led a war against Ormenius, killed him and took Astydameia by force.

## Classical Text

by Astydamia, daughter of Amyntor, he [Herakles] had Ctesippus
 - Apollodorus. Biblioteca, 2.7.8
Asteropaios

### Children

In the Iliad, Asteropaios (Ἀστεροπαῖος) was a leader of the Trojan-allied Paeonians along with fellow warrior Pyraekhmes. Asteropaios was the son of Pelagon, who was the son of the river god Axios and the mortal woman Periboia, daughter of Akessamenos (Ἀκεσσάμενος). Asteropaios was a newcomer to the war at the start of the Iliad; he had only been in Troy for less than two weeks.

Asteropaios had the distinction in combat of being ambidextrous and would on occasion throw two spears at once. In Book XII of the Iliad as the Trojans attacked the Akhaean wall, Asteropaios was a leader of the same division as the Lykian warriors Sarpedon and Glaukus, the division which pressed hard enough to allow Hektor and his division to breach the wall.

In Book XXI, as Achilles is mercilessly slaughtering Trojan warriors alongside the river god Skamandros and polluting the waters with dead bodies (including one of Priam's sons, Lykaon). With the river god pondering how he might stop Akhilles, Akhilles in turn attacks Asteropaios (himself the grandson of a river god) whom Skamandros instills with courage to make a stand against Akhilles.

Akhilles and Asteropaios thus engage in one-on-one combat, Asteropaios throwing two spears at the same time at Akhilles. One spear hit Akhilles' shield, while the other reached his right forearm and drew blood. Asteropaios was the only Trojan in the Iliad who was able to draw blood from Akhilles. However, he fails to kill Akhilles, and is slain. And Akhilles boasts that though Asteropaios may be descended from a river-god, that he, Akhilles, is descended from a mightier god, Zeus. Later, in the funeral games for the slain Patroklos, the bronze and tin corslet and the silver-studded sword of Asteropaios are awarded as prizes.
Atlanteiê

Atlanteiê along with her fellow Libyan Hamadryad-nymph Phoibê from north Africa were wives (or lovers) of the Libyan King Danaus who collectively bore him ten of his fifty Danaid daughters.

## Family

### Children

Asteria (Possibly)
Glauke (Possibly)
Gorge (Possibly)
Hippodameia (Possibly)
Hippodameia (Possibly)
Hippomedusa (Possibly)
Iphimedousa (Possibly)
Kleopatra (Possibly)
Rhodê (Possibly)
Rhodia (Possibly)
Arês

Arês was the Olympian god of war, bloodlust, manliness, courage and civil order. In ancient Greek art he was depicted as either a mature, bearded warrior armed for battle, or a nude, beardless youth with a helm and spear.

## Family

### Spouse & Lovers

Aerope
Agraulos
Althaia
Aphroditê
Asterie
Astyokhe
Atalante
Demonike
Enyo
Harpina
Ilia
Kyrene
Phylonome
Protogeneia
Steropê
Tereinê
Triteia