Ancaeus
Mighty Argonaut who took over as helmsman of the Argo after the death of Tiphys
The Legend of Ancaeus
Ancaeus was a hero of great strength who sailed with Jason on the Argo. Two figures named Ancaeus appear in the Argonaut tradition: one from Tegea, a powerful wrestler who wore a bearskin, and one from Samos, son of Poseidon, who was a skilled navigator. The Samian Ancaeus took over as helmsman of the Argo after the original steersman Tiphys died during the voyage. His seafaring skill was crucial in guiding the ship through the remaining dangers of the journey to Colchis and back. Ancaeus of Tegea was notable for his immense physical strength and fought in the Calydonian Boar Hunt alongside Meleager. One tradition holds that an Ancaeus was killed by a wild boar after being told he would never drink the wine from his own vineyard, giving rise to a famous proverb about the uncertainty of the future.
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Fun Fact
The proverb "there's many a slip twixt cup and lip" reportedly originated from the story of Ancaeus's death
Explore Further
Tiphys
🗡 heroNavigation, seamanship
Original helmsman of the Argo whose skill guided the ship through the Clashing Rocks
Eribotes
🗡 heroHealing, loyalty
Argonaut who served as a healer aboard the Argo and recovered the body of his fallen companion Canthus
Coronus
🗡 heroLapith heritage, combat
Son of the Lapith lord Caeneus who sailed with the Argonauts as a representative of his people
Eurytion
🗡 heroHunting, archery
Argonaut and skilled hunter who later participated in the Calydonian Boar Hunt
Actor
🗡 heroCombat, brotherhood
Argonaut who sailed with his brother Erytus and joined Jason's quest for the Golden Fleece
Leodocus
🗡 heroCombat, Argonaut voyage
Argonaut who joined Jason's expedition to Colchis aboard the legendary ship Argo
Eurydamas
🗡 heroCombat, Argonaut voyage
Argonaut from the shores of Lake Xynias who sailed with Jason to Colchis
Theseus
🗡 heroFounder-hero of Athens
Theseus was the great hero of Athens who slew the Minotaur, united Attica, and established Athenian democracy — Athens' answer to Heracles.
Epistrophus
🗡 heroPhocian leadership, combat
Co-commander of the Phocian forces at Troy who shared leadership with his kinsman Schedius
Butes
🗡 heroBeekeeping, Resistance, Sirens
Argonaut and Athenian hero who alone leaped toward the Sirens and was saved by Aphrodite.
Erytus
🗡 heroCombat, brotherhood
Argonaut who sailed with his brother Actor on the voyage to retrieve the Golden Fleece
Schedius
🗡 heroPhocian leadership, combat
Commander of the Phocian contingent at Troy who was killed by Hector during the great battles