Areithous

In Greek mythology, the name Areithous (Ancient Greek: Ἀρηΐθοος) may refer to:

  • Areithous, King of Arne in Boeotia, and husband of Philomedusa [el], by whom he had a son Menesthius.[1] He is called in the Iliad the "club-bearer" (korynetes), because he fought with no other weapon but an iron club. He fell by the hand of Lycurgus of Arcadia, who drove him into a narrow defile, where he could not make use of his club. His armor was later worn by Lycurgus and then by Ereuthalion.[2] The tomb of Areithous was shown in Arcadia as late as the time of Pausanias.[3]
  • Areithous, a defender of Troy, squire and charioteer of the Thracian Rhigmus. Both Areithous and Rhigmus were killed by Achilles in the battle: he smote them with his spear.[4]

The name is based on the adjective ἀρηΐθοος, meaning warlike, or literally "swift in the fight."

  1. ^ Homer, Iliad 7.8 ff
  2. ^ Homer, Iliad 7.136 ff
  3. ^ Pausanias, 8.11.4
  4. ^ Homer, Iliad 20.484-489