Hercules and Achelous

Achelous

A river god of the largest river in central Greece - often portrayed as the god of freshwater in general

What are the four forms Achelous is depicted in (in order)

Human, snake, bull, merman (in water)

What did Achelous compete against Hercules for?

The hand of Deianira of Aitolia

How did Hercules and Achelous fight?

They wrestled

How was the cornucopia created?

Hercules tore off one of Achelous’ horns while he was in bull form

What is the significance of the Metamorphoses?

It describes Hercules’ battle against Achelous and shows how the cornucopia was created

Who told the story of how Hercules defeated Achelous?

Achelous himself relates the story to Theseus

How is the broken horn of Achelous described?

‘Damaged forehead’

Why does Hercules think he should marry Deianira?

Jove (Zeus) would be his father in law (divine parentage), he performed very famous labours showing his strength and determination, he survived Juno’s (Hera’s) wrath up until now

Why does Achelous think he should marry Deianira?

It is shameful for a god to concede to a mortal, he is native to the area (unlike Hercules who is a foreigner/stranger), Juno doesn’t like him

How does Achelous insult Hercules?

He says that either Zeus isn’t his father (he is lying) or that his mother is an adulteress

What does Hercules say in retaliation to Achelous’ insults?

‘My right hand is stronger than my tongue’

How are Hercules and Achelous at the beginning of their wrestling match?

Evenly matched

What does Achelous do upon starting to lose?

He turns into a snake

What does Hercules call Achelous?

‘A false snake’

How does Hercules taunt Achelous while his is in snake form?

He calls him a false snake and references the times he has fought and beaten real snakes (he strangled two as a baby and killed the Lernaean Hydra as part of his twelve labours)

What do the Naiads do to Achelous’ horn?

Fill it and make it sacred, becoming the cornucopia

What was Achelous waiting for whilst he told Theseus the story?

The rivers to recede after a recent flood covered the path so he couldn’t cross

What did Theseus ask, leading to their conversation about Hercules and Achelous’ fight?

Why his horn was broken (his damaged forehead)

Who is Oeneus?

The King of Calydon and the father of Deianira

What was Achelous’ special power?

He could use magic to shapeshift

Why is it ironic that Achelous turned into a bull?

Hercules already fought the Cretan Bull and the Erymanthian Boar

What emotion did Hercules feel against Achelous?

A blazing anger

Describe the battle

Foot set against foot, likened to two strong bulls coming together