Althaea (mythology)

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Illustration of Althaea by Johann Wilhelm Baur.
Illustration of Althaea by Johann Wilhelm Baur.

In Greek mythology, Althaea (also commonly spelled Althea, Greek: Αλθαία, Althaía), was the daughter of Thestius, wife of Oeneus and mother of Meleager, Melanippe (one of the Meleagrids), and Deianeira. When Meleager was born, the Moirae (the fates) predicted he would only live until a brand, burning in the family hearth, was consumed by fire. Althaea immediately hid the brand. Later, Meleager killed his mother's two brothers in an argument and she placed the brand back upon the fire, killing him.

Althaea was the daughter of King Thestius.

[edit] References

  • Ovid Metamorphoses VIII, 451–546.
  • Thomas Bulfinch. Bulfinch's Mythology: The Age of Fable or Stories of Gods and Heroes. 1855 (Chapter XVIII).
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