Areion- Greek CreatureCreature · Beast
Also known as: Arion, Ἀρείων, and Areiōn
Domains
Description
Poseidon took the form of a stallion and forced himself on Demeter while she hid as a mare among the herds of Arcadia. The horse born from that union, Areion, carried Adrastus to safety when every other champion of the Seven against Thebes was killed.
Mythology & Lore
Divine Origins in Arcadia
In Pausanias's account, Demeter wandered the earth in search of Persephone and came to Arcadia. Poseidon pursued her. To escape him, she transformed into a mare and hid among the herds of King Oncius near Thelpusa. Poseidon was not deceived. He became a stallion and mated with her by force. From this union Demeter bore the horse Areion and, in Arcadian tradition, the goddess Despoina.
The violation left Demeter wrathful. The Arcadians worshipped her at Thelpusa under the epithet Erinys, the Wrathful One.
From Heracles to Adrastus
Heracles rode Areion into battle against the Eleans and afterward gave the horse to Adrastus, king of Argos. Homer mentions Areion's speed in the Iliad, when Nestor cites the horse while coaching his son Antilochus on chariot racing.
When Adrastus led the Seven against Thebes, the expedition ended in slaughter. Every captain died except Adrastus. Areion carried him from the field when no other escape was possible.