Historiae Romanorum

Aeacus

The son of Zeus and Aegina, the daughter of a river-god, and the king of Aegina, the island named after his mother.

When he was born on the island of Aegina, Aeacus was at first completely alone on the island.  Taking pity on his son, Zeus turned the ants on the island into people.  Aeacus called his people the "Myrmidons", which is derived from the word μυρμεκες, which means "ants".

Aeacus took a wife, named Endeis, and fathered two children: Peleus and Telamon.  He also had an affair with Psmathe, a Nereid, who had transformed herself into a seal to spurn him.  He wasn't, and their union produced the bastard child Phocus.

In order to please their mother Endeis, Peleus and Telamon killed Phocus while in a wrestling match.

Aeacus was famed for his piety, and was very respected while alive.  After his death, he became a gatekeeper for the god Hades.

Source(s):

1. Apollodorus.  Bibliotece.

This page was last updated on July 21, 2004.