Phaea
Monstrous sow of Crommyon that terrorised the countryside until slain by Theseus
The Legend of Phaea
Phaea was the name given to either a monstrous wild sow or, in some traditions, the old woman who kept her. The beast ravaged the region of Crommyon on the Isthmus of Corinth, destroying crops and killing anyone who came near. Some accounts described her as the offspring of Typhon and Echidna, placing her among the great monsters of Greek myth. Others said she was simply a savage animal named after the crone who reared her. Theseus encountered the Crommyonian Sow during his journey from Troezen to Athens and killed the beast, adding it to his growing list of perils overcome. Plutarch noted that Theseus went out of his way to fight Phaea, choosing to confront danger rather than avoid it.
Symbols
Fun Fact
Some scholars argued Phaea was actually a female brigand nicknamed "the sow" for her savage habits
Explore Further
Crommyonian Sow
🐉 creatureDestruction, monsters
Monstrous wild sow that terrorised the region of Crommyon until it was slain by the young Theseus
Bellerophon
🗡 heroTamer of Pegasus, slayer of the Chimera
The hero who tamed the winged horse Pegasus and used him to slay the monstrous Chimera. His story is a cautionary tale about hubris.
Meleager
🗡 heroLeader of the Calydonian Boar Hunt
Meleager's life was bound to a burning log.
Calydonian Boar
🐉 creatureMonstrous boar sent by Artemis
The Calydonian Boar was a massive, destructive beast sent by Artemis to ravage Calydon after King Oeneus forgot to honour her in sacrifice.
Parthenopaeus
🗡 heroSeven Against Thebes, Youth, Arcadia
Young Arcadian hero, one of the Seven Against Thebes, who died at the city walls before seeing his homeland again.
Meleager
🗡 heroHero whose life was bound to a burning log
The leader of the Calydonian Boar Hunt whose fate was tied to a charred brand — when it burned out, he died.
Pasiphaë
🗡 heroQueen of Crete, mother of the Minotaur
Pasiphaë was the queen of Crete whom Poseidon cursed with an unnatural desire for a bull — the mother of the Minotaur and a sorceress in her own right.
Bellerophon
🗡 heroThe hero who tamed Pegasus
The Corinthian hero who tamed the winged horse Pegasus and slew the Chimera, but fell from heaven when he tried to reach Olympus.
Neoptolemus
🗡 heroSon of Achilles
Neoptolemus was Achilles' fierce son, brought to Troy because a prophecy declared the city could not fall without him.
Eurytion
🗡 heroHunting, archery
Argonaut and skilled hunter who later participated in the Calydonian Boar Hunt
Atalanta
🗡 heroThe virgin huntress who outran every suitor
The swift-footed huntress who drew first blood against the Calydonian Boar and was only beaten in a footrace by divine trickery.
Arcas
🗡 heroKingship, hunting, Arcadia
Eponymous founder and king of Arcadia who was nearly tricked into eating his own transformed mother