Aidoneus
Encyclopedia
Aidoneus was a mythical king of the Molossians
in Epirus
, who is represented as the husband of Persephone
. After Theseus
, with the assistance of Pirithous
, had carried off Helen and concealed her at Aphidnae, he went to Epirus
to procure for Pirithous Kore
, the daughter of Aidoneus, as a reward. This king thinking the two strangers were well-meaning suitors, offered the hand of his daughter to Pirithous, on condition that he should fight and conquer his dog, which bore the name of Cerberus
. But when Aidoneus discovered that they had come with the intention of carrying off his daughter, he had Pirithous kiled by Cerberus, and kept Theseus in captivity, who was afterwards released at the request of Heracles
. Eusebius
calls the wife of Aidoneus a daughter of queen Demeter
, with whom he had eloped. It is clear that the story about Aidoneus is nothing but the sacred legend of Hades
' rape of Persephone, dressed up in the form of a real-world history, and is undoubtedly the work of a late interpreter, or rather destroyer, of genuine ancient myths.
Molossians
The Molossians were an ancient Greek tribe that inhabited the region of Epirus since the Mycenaean era. On their northeast frontier they had the Chaonians and to their southern frontier the kingdom of the Thesprotians, to their north were the Illyrians. The Molossians were part of the League of...
in Epirus
Epirus
The name Epirus, from the Greek "Ήπειρος" meaning continent may refer to:-Geographical:* Epirus - a historical and geographical region of the southwestern Balkans, straddling modern Greece and Albania...
, who is represented as the husband of Persephone
Persephone
In Greek mythology, Persephone , also called Kore , is the daughter of Zeus and the harvest-goddess Demeter, and queen of the underworld; she was abducted by Hades, the god-king of the underworld....
. After Theseus
Theseus
For other uses, see Theseus Theseus was the mythical founder-king of Athens, son of Aethra, and fathered by Aegeus and Poseidon, both of whom Aethra had slept with in one night. Theseus was a founder-hero, like Perseus, Cadmus, or Heracles, all of whom battled and overcame foes that were...
, with the assistance of Pirithous
Pirithous
In Greek mythology, Pirithous - Πειρίθοος was the King of the Lapiths in Thessaly and husband of Hippodamia, at whose wedding the famous Battle of Lapiths and Centaurs occurred....
, had carried off Helen and concealed her at Aphidnae, he went to Epirus
Epirus
The name Epirus, from the Greek "Ήπειρος" meaning continent may refer to:-Geographical:* Epirus - a historical and geographical region of the southwestern Balkans, straddling modern Greece and Albania...
to procure for Pirithous Kore
Kore
Kore is an energy drink distributed by GNC in 250 mL cans.-Ingredients:Water, Sugar, Dextrose, Citric Acid, Taurine, Sodium Citrate, Glucuronolactone, Natural and Artificial Flavors, Caffeine, Sodium Benzoate, Inositol, Caramel Color, Potassium Sorbate, Niacin, D-Calcium Pantothenate, Pyridoxine...
, the daughter of Aidoneus, as a reward. This king thinking the two strangers were well-meaning suitors, offered the hand of his daughter to Pirithous, on condition that he should fight and conquer his dog, which bore the name of Cerberus
Cerberus
Cerberus , or Kerberos, in Greek and Roman mythology, is a multi-headed hound which guards the gates of the Underworld, to prevent those who have crossed the river Styx from ever escaping...
. But when Aidoneus discovered that they had come with the intention of carrying off his daughter, he had Pirithous kiled by Cerberus, and kept Theseus in captivity, who was afterwards released at the request of Heracles
Heracles
Heracles ,born Alcaeus or Alcides , was a divine hero in Greek mythology, the son of Zeus and Alcmene, foster son of Amphitryon and great-grandson of Perseus...
. Eusebius
Eusebius of Caesarea
Eusebius of Caesarea also called Eusebius Pamphili, was a Roman historian, exegete and Christian polemicist. He became the Bishop of Caesarea in Palestine about the year 314. Together with Pamphilus, he was a scholar of the Biblical canon...
calls the wife of Aidoneus a daughter of queen Demeter
Demeter
In Greek mythology, Demeter is the goddess of the harvest, who presided over grains, the fertility of the earth, and the seasons . Her common surnames are Sito as the giver of food or corn/grain and Thesmophoros as a mark of the civilized existence of agricultural society...
, with whom he had eloped. It is clear that the story about Aidoneus is nothing but the sacred legend of Hades
Hades
Hades , Hadēs, originally , Haidēs or , Aidēs , meaning "the unseen") was the ancient Greek god of the underworld. The genitive , Haidou, was an elision to denote locality: "[the house/dominion] of Hades". Eventually, the nominative came to designate the abode of the dead.In Greek mythology, Hades...
' rape of Persephone, dressed up in the form of a real-world history, and is undoubtedly the work of a late interpreter, or rather destroyer, of genuine ancient myths.