Xanthus River

🏛 placeLyciaΞάνθος

geography

The principal river of Lycia in Anatolia, where the Lycian hero Sarpedon's homeland was located.‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌

The Story of Xanthus River

The Xanthus River flowed through Lycia, the homeland of Sarpedon — son of Zeus and Laodamia, and one of Troy's greatest defenders.‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌ When Sarpedon was killed by Patroclus, Zeus wept tears of blood for his son and agonised over whether to save him; Hera reminded him that other gods' sons were dying too and he could not break fate's decree without destroying the order of the universe. Zeus ordered Apollo to recover Sarpedon's body and Sleep and Death carried it home to Lycia for burial on the banks of the Xanthus. The river's name was also given to one of Achilles' immortal horses, who prophesied his master's death.

Parents

{Oceanus,Tethys}

Children

{Sarpedon (homeland here)}

Symbols

rivertears of bloodsleeping warriorhorse

Fun Fact

Achilles' horse Xanthus — named for the river — was given the power of speech by Hera to warn Achilles he would die soon. After delivering the prophecy, the Erinyes struck the horse mute again.

Words We Inherited

English words and phrases that trace back to this myth. See our full guide to English words from Greek mythology.

xanthic (yellow/tawnyfrom xanthos)

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