CULT OF THE RIVER-GOD ACHELOUS
Akheloios was an Aitolian river whose stream flowed into the sea at the throat of the Gulf of Korinthos (Corinth). As the largest river in southern Greece he was worshipped throughout the region as the god of fresh-water springs.
I. Near ATHENS Chief City of Attica (Southern Greece)
Plato, Phaedrus (Greek philosopher C4th B.C.) :
"Here, a fair resting-place, full of summer sounds and scents. Here is this lofty and spreading plane-tree [on the banks of the Ilissos river in Attika], and the agnus cast us high and clustering, in the fullest blossom and the greatest fragrance; and the stream which flows beneath the plane-tree is deliciously cold to the feet. Judging from the ornaments and images, this must be a spot sacred to Akheloios (Achelous) and the Nymphai (Nymphs). How delightful is the breeze :--so very sweet; and there is a sound in the air shrill and summerlike which makes answer to the chorus of the cicadae. But the greatest charm of all is the grass, like a pillow gently sloping to the head."
II. OROPUS (OROPOS) Village in Attica (Southern Greece)
Pausanias, Description of Greece 1. 34. 3 (trans. Jones) (Greek travelogue C2nd A.D.) :
"[In the sanctuary of Amphiaraus in Oropos, Attika :] The altar shows parts . . . the third is to Hestia and Hermes and [the hero] Amphiaraus and the children of Amphilokhos (Amphilochus) . . . The fifth is dedicated to the Nymphai (Nymphs) and Pan, and to the rivers Akheloos (Achelous) and Kephisos (Cephisus)."
III. Near THESPEIA Town in Boeotia (Southern Greece)
Philostratus the Elder, Imagines 1. 23 (trans. Fairbanks) (Greek rhetorician C3rd A.D.) :
"A youth [Narkissos (Narcissus)] just returned from the hunt stands over a pool . . . The cave is sacred to Akheloos (Achelous) and the Nymphai (Nymphs), and the scene is painted realistically. For the statues are of a crude art and made from a local stone; some of them are worn away by time, others have been mutilated by children of cowherds or shepherds while still young and unaware of the presence of the god [i.e. Dionysos]."
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