A river on the Peloponnesian Peninsula.
The Alpheios is the largest river on the Peloponnesus; originating in Arkadia (Arcadia) near the city of Asea and flowing west past Olympia to empty into the Ionian Sea. Six important tributaries feed the Alpheios in Arkadia1 and one in Elis2.
The Alpheios River takes its name from hunter who fell in love with a huntress named Arethusa. She refused to marry Alpheios and fled to Sicily on the island opposite Syracuse called Ortygia. Arethusa became a spring and Alpheios became the river. He flowed beneath the Ionic Sea and mingled his waters with those of Arethusa. This amazing feat was confirmed by the Oracle at Delphi.
During the Trojan War, King Nestor of Pylos commanded the Achaian (Achaean) soldiers from the Peloponnesian Peninsula, including men from an area known as the Alpheios crossing.
1. Tributaries in Arkadia: Helisson, Brentheates, Gortynius, Buphagus, Ladon. and Erymanthus.
2. Tributary in Elis: Kladeus (Cladeüs).
| References: Homer, Iliad book 2, line 592; book 11, line 712 Pausanias, Description of Greece book 5.7 |