Aeacus

Aeacus is a figure in Greek mythology known as the legendary king of the island of Aegina. He is typically described as the son of Zeus and Aegina, who was the daughter of the river-god Asopus. Aeacus is celebrated for his piety, fairness, and the administration of justice under his rule.

Aeacus fathered two sons who became notable heroes: Peleus, the father of Achilles, and Telamon, who with his wife produced Ajax the Great and Teucer. Through Peleus, Aeacus is linked to the royal lineage that culminates in Achilles, a central figure in the Trojan War. The Aeacidae, the royal house descended from Aeacus, continued to play a substantial role in Greek myth and epic tradition.

One prominent myth associated with Aeacus concerns the Myrmidons. According to the tale, a plague depopulated his island, and Aeacus prayed to the gods for inhabitants. Zeus then transformed ants into men, creating the Myrmidons, whom Aeacus ruled and later led as soldiers. The name Myrmidon is derived from the Greek for “ant,” reflecting this origin story.

In another vein of myth, Aeacus is said to have earned a place among the judges of the dead in the underworld, alongside Minos and Rhadamanthus. In this role, he is associated with the administration of justice in Hades, particularly for souls passing into the western regions.

Aeacus remains a figure associated with divine justice, dynastic lineage, and the bridging of mortal and mythic worlds. His legend appears in various ancient sources, where he embodies piety, governance, and the mythic origin of the Myrmidons.