Althepus Explained

In Greek mythology, Althepus (Greek, Ancient (to 1453);: Ἄλθηπος) was a king of Troezen. Althepia named after him.^[1]

Family

Althepus was the son of Poseidon and Leis, daughter of Orus, the former king of the land.

Mythology

Althepus renamed the land Oraea, which he ruled, and called it Althepia.^[2] These are the former names of the land about Troezen. In the reign of this king, Poseidon and Athena contended, as at Athens, for the land of the Troezenians, but, through the mediation of Zeus, they became the joint guardians of the country. For this reason they worship both Athena, whom they name both Polias (Urban) and Sthenias (Strong), and also Poseidon, under the surname of King.^[3] Hence, a trident and the head of Athena are represented on the ancient coins of Troezen.^[4] Althepus was succeeded by Saron.^[5]

Notes

1. Encyclopedia: 1867. Althepus. Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology. Little, Brown and Company. Boston. Schmitz. Leonhard. William Smith. 1. 134. Leonhard Schmitz. 2009-08-09. https://web.archive.org/web/20080527153044/http://www.ancientlibrary.com/smith-bio/0143.html. 2008-05-27. dead.
2. [Pausanias (geographer)|Pausanias]
3. Pausanias, 2.30.6
4. Mionnet, Suppl. iv. p. 267.189
5. Pausanias, 2.30.7

References

• Pausanias, Description of Greece with an English Translation by W.H.S. Jones, Litt.D., and H.A. Ormerod, M.A., in 4 Volumes. Cambridge, MA, Harvard University Press; London, William Heinemann Ltd. 1918. . Online version at the Perseus Digital Library
• Pausanias, Graeciae Descriptio. 3 vols. Leipzig, Teubner. 1903. Greek text available at the Perseus Digital Library.