Alcathous
Alcathous (swift aid) In Greek mythology, king of Megara, the son of Pelops and Hippodameia; brother of Astydameia, Atreus, Chrysippus, Copreus, Lysidice, Nicippe, Piltheus, Troezen, and Thyestes; husband of Euaechme. He slew the Cithaeron lion that had torn Euippus, the son of Megareus, to pieces. As a reward he was given Euaechma, the daughter of Megareus, as well as the throne. With Apollo as his friend and helper, he rebuilt the city walls and one of two fortresses, Alcathoe, that had temples to Apollo and Artemis.
A singing stone in the fortress was said to be the one on which Apollo laid down his lyre when at work. Alcathous’s eldest son, Ischepolis, was killed in the Calydonian boar hunt. His second son, Callipolis, running with the news to his father when Alcathous was sacrificing to Apollo, scattered the altar fire. Alcathous then struck his son dead, believing the boy had committed sacrilege. By his daughters Automedusa and Periboea, the wives of Iphicles and Telamon, Alcathous was the grandfather of Iolaus and Ajax.
SOURCE:
Encyclopedia of World Mythology and Legend, Third Edition – Written by Anthony S. Mercatante & James R. Dow-Copyright © 2009 by Anthony S. Mercatante