Ascalaphus
creatureAscalaphus was the son of the underworld river Acheron who told the gods that Persephone had eaten pomegranate seeds — condemning her to return to Hades.
The Myth
When Persephone ate the pomegranate seeds (knowingly or unknowingly), Ascalaphus witnessed it and reported to the gods, preventing her full release. Demeter, furious, transformed him into a screech owl — a bird of ill omen. In some versions, Heracles rolled the stone off him during his descent.
Parents
Acheron and Gorgyra (or Orphne)
Symbols
Fun Fact
The screech owl became a bird of bad omen in Greek culture partly because of Ascalaphus — a snitch transformed into nature's alarm.
Explore Further
Acheron
placeThe Acheron was the River of Woe in the underworld, which the dead had to cross — in some...
Demeter
godGoddess of grain, harvest, and the fertility of the earth. When her daughter Persephone was...
Hera
godQueen of the Olympian gods and goddess of marriage. Known for her jealous rages against Zeus's...
Heracles
heroThe greatest hero of Greek mythology, son of Zeus and the mortal Alcmene. Famous for his...
Persephone
godDaughter of Demeter and queen of the underworld. Her annual return from Hades brings spring; her...
Argus Panoptes
creatureArgus Panoptes was a giant with a hundred eyes covering his body — the all-seeing watchman whom...