DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.4098#0127
102 RIVER ACHELOOS.
Hesiod1 and Dionysius Periegetes2 give the epithet of silvery
(ci/>yvpo$ivrig) to the Acheloos. Homer,3 for a similar reason, gives the
same epithet to the Thessalian Peneios, whose muddy waters resem-
ble the Acarnanian river.
This celebrated river, which Homer4 calls xpewv A^sXwJb?, comes ac-
cording to Thucydides,5 " from mount Pindos, through the territo-
ries of Dolopia, Agraia, Amphilochia, and the plain of Acarnania,
passing near the city of Stratos, and that of the CEniadai, and
entering the sea through that space which is between these two cities,
overflows its bed, and surrounds the CEniadai with marshes."
It receives in its course several tributary mountain streams, par-
ticularly the Inachos, the Thestios, and the Petitaros. Aristotle says
it often changes its course; which is still the case. After heavy rains,
and the melting of the snow on Pindos, it sometimes leaves its bed,
to the great detriment of the neighbouring plains and villages. A
few years ago it entered the sea much nearer Mesaloggion; but it
has since retired into its ancient channel. Strabo asserts that it was
once named Thoas; and Plutarch6 informs us, that its first name was
Axenos, which it changed for that of Thestios, because the son of
Mars and Pisidike drowned himself in it. It then took the name of
Acheloos, who was son of Ocean, and of a Naid nymph, and who also
was drowned in it. According to Ortelius, modern authors have given
it the various names of Aspri, Catochis, Geromlea, and Pachicolamo.
Its present name is however Aspro Potamos (the white river). I have
seen several terra cotta vases, on which this bull-formed river is re-
1 Deor. Generat. v. 340. - Orbis descrip. v. 433. s Iliad, 2. v. 752.
i Iliad, 21. v. 194.. 5 B. 2. c. 102. « De Fluroin.
Hesiod1 and Dionysius Periegetes2 give the epithet of silvery
(ci/>yvpo$ivrig) to the Acheloos. Homer,3 for a similar reason, gives the
same epithet to the Thessalian Peneios, whose muddy waters resem-
ble the Acarnanian river.
This celebrated river, which Homer4 calls xpewv A^sXwJb?, comes ac-
cording to Thucydides,5 " from mount Pindos, through the territo-
ries of Dolopia, Agraia, Amphilochia, and the plain of Acarnania,
passing near the city of Stratos, and that of the CEniadai, and
entering the sea through that space which is between these two cities,
overflows its bed, and surrounds the CEniadai with marshes."
It receives in its course several tributary mountain streams, par-
ticularly the Inachos, the Thestios, and the Petitaros. Aristotle says
it often changes its course; which is still the case. After heavy rains,
and the melting of the snow on Pindos, it sometimes leaves its bed,
to the great detriment of the neighbouring plains and villages. A
few years ago it entered the sea much nearer Mesaloggion; but it
has since retired into its ancient channel. Strabo asserts that it was
once named Thoas; and Plutarch6 informs us, that its first name was
Axenos, which it changed for that of Thestios, because the son of
Mars and Pisidike drowned himself in it. It then took the name of
Acheloos, who was son of Ocean, and of a Naid nymph, and who also
was drowned in it. According to Ortelius, modern authors have given
it the various names of Aspri, Catochis, Geromlea, and Pachicolamo.
Its present name is however Aspro Potamos (the white river). I have
seen several terra cotta vases, on which this bull-formed river is re-
1 Deor. Generat. v. 340. - Orbis descrip. v. 433. s Iliad, 2. v. 752.
i Iliad, 21. v. 194.. 5 B. 2. c. 102. « De Fluroin.