Rivers in The Iliad

Bodies of the Immortals

Rivers are the bodies chosen by many of the Immortals. They hold dominion over the terrain they inhabit and are honored by local inhabitants and travelers alike.

Images of Rivers

There are, at least, twenty-nine rivers mentioned in The Iliad. Some of them were active players in the siege of Troy, others were only mentioned.

Rivers in The Iliad

(listed by book and line)

The line numbers listed here correspond fairly well with the Lattimore and Murray/Wyatt translations of The Iliad. Other translations (Fitzgerald, Fagles et al) do not correspond as well but, with a small amount of effort, you should be able to find the reference you need regardless of the translation you use. Lattimore (ISBN 0226469409); A.T. Murray/William F. Wyatt Vol. I & II (ISBN 0674995791 and 0674995805); Robert Fitzgerald (ISBN 0374529051); Robert Fagles (ISBN 0140275363)

Aisepos (Aesepus) - Αισηποιο

• 02.825 - Pandaros (Pandarus) was the commander of the men from Zeleia; they lived at the foot of Mount Ida and drank the dark water of Aisepos (Aesepus)
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• 04.091 - Athene (Athena) speaks to Pandaros (Pandarus) and urges him to shoot an arrow at Menelaos (Menelaus); his family home was near the streams of Aisepos (Aesepus)
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• 12.021 - Apollon and Poseidon take counsel to destroy the wall and ditch that the Danaans had built; they plan to use the destructive forces of the rivers which flow from Mount Ida to the sea: Rhesos (Rhesus), Heptaporos (Heptaporus), Aisepos (Aesepus), Karesos (Caresus), Rhodios (Rhodius), Grenikos (Granicus), Aisepos (Aesepus), Skamandros (Scamander) and Simoeis (Simois)

Acheloios (Achelous) - Αχελωιος

• 21.194 - Achilles tells the Trojan, Asteropaios (Asteropaeus), that someone descended from a river does not have a chance against his spear because he is descended from Zeus; he says that not even the river Acheloios (Achelous) would dare stand against Zeus
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• 24.616 - When Achilles was speaking to Priam, he mentions the sadness of Niobe and how she sits in the mountains of Sipylos (Sipylus) near the waters of Acheloios (Achelous)

Alpheios (Alpheius) - Αλφειου

• 05.545 - Aineias (Aeneas) killed the brothers, Orsilochos (Orsilochus) and Krethon (Crethon), who were descended from the river Alpheios
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• 11.727 - Nestor remembers the war with the Epeians and how he sacrificed a bull to the river Alpheios, a bull to Poseidon and a cow to Gray-eyed Athene (Athena)

Asopos (Asopus) - Ασωπον

• 04.383 - Agamemnon speaks of how Tydeus, Diomedes’ father, left the other Achaeans (Achaians) at the river Asopos (Asopus) and went among the Kadmeians (Cadmeians)

Axios (Axius) - Αξιου

• 02.849 - Pyraichmes (Pyraechmes) was commander of the soldiers from Amydon near the fairest of all rivers, Axios (Axius)
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• 16.288 - Patroklos (Patroclus) killed Pyraichmes (Pyraechmes) who was from Amydon and the wide streams of Axios (Axius)
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• 21.140 - Pelegon was the son of Axios (Axius) and Periboia
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• 21.157 - As Asteropaios (Asteropaeus) is facing Achilles in battle, he says that he is the grandson of Axios (Axius)

Boagrios (Boagrius) - Βοαγριου

• 02.533 - Lesser Aias led the men from beside the waters of Boagrios (Boagrius)

Grenikos (Granicus) - Γρηνικος

• 12.021 - Apollon and Poseidon take counsel to destroy the wall and ditch that the Danaans had built; they plan to use the destructive forces of the rivers which flow from Mount Ida to the sea: Rhesos (Rhesus), Heptaporos (Heptaporus), Aisepos (Aesepus), Karesos (Caresus), Rhodios (Rhodius), Grenikos (Granicus), Aisepos (Aesepus), Skamandros (Scamander) and Simoeis (Simois)

Heptaporos (Heptaporus) - ‘Επταπορος

• 12.020 - Apollon and Poseidon take counsel to destroy the wall and ditch that the Danaans had built; they plan to use the destructive forces of the rivers which flow from Mount Ida to the sea: Rhesos (Rhesus), Heptaporos (Heptaporus), Aisepos (Aesepus), Karesos (Caresus), Rhodios (Rhodius), Grenikos (Granicus), Aisepos (Aesepus), Skamandros (Scamander) and Simoeis (Simois)

Hermos (Hermus) - ‘Ερμο

• 20.392 - Achilles was exhilarated as he killed Iphition and declared that the dead man had been from the land of the fish-filled Hyllos (Hyllus) and whirling Hermos (Hermus)

Hyllos (Hyllus) - ‘Υλλω

• 20.392 - Achilles was exhilarated as he killed Iphition and declared that the dead man had been from the land of the fish-filled Hyllos (Hyllus) and whirling Hermos (Hermus)

Karesos (Caresus) - Καρησος

• 12.020 - Apollon and Poseidon take counsel to destroy the wall and ditch that the Danaans had built; they plan to use the destructive forces of the rivers which flow from Mount Ida to the sea: Rhesos (Rhesus), Heptaporos (Heptaporus), Aisepos (Aesepus), Karesos (Caresus), Rhodios (Rhodius), Grenikos (Granicus), Aisepos (Aesepus), Skamandros (Scamander) and Simoeis (Simois)

Kephisos (Cephisus) - Κηφισοιο

• 02.523 - Schedios and Epistrophos led the men from Phokis (Phocis) near the immortal river, Kephisos (Cephisus)
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• 02.525 - Lilaia was beside the well springs of Kephisos (Cephisus)

Maiandros (Maeander) - Μαιανδρου

• 02.869 - The sons of Nomion were from near the waters of Maiandros (Maeander) and led the Karians (Carians) to Troy

Minyeios (Minyeius) - Μινυηιος

• 11.722 - Nestor remembers how, when he was young and unproven in battle, his cavalry was camped near the river Minyeios where it issues into the sea at Arene

Okeanos (Oceanus) - Ωκεανω

• 03.006 - The Trojans rushed into battle like screaming cranes flying towards the streams of Okeanos (Oceanus)
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• 08.485 - As the sun fell into Okeanos (Oceanus), Hera silently accepts Zeus’ decision to give Hector glory at the expense of the Argives
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• 14.246 - When Hera asks Hypnos (Sleep) to use his powers on Zeus, he says that he would willingly cast sleep on any of the Immortals, even the River Okeanos (Oceanus), but he fears Zeus’ anger
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• 14.302 - When Hera finds Zeus on Mount Ida, she lies to him and says that she is on her way to Okeanos (Oceanus) to see Tethys
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• 14.311 - Hera tells Zeus that she has come to him on Mount Ida to ask his permission to visit deep-running Okeanos (Oceanus)
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• 16.151 - Podarge conceived the horses, Xanthos (Xanthus) and Balios (Balius) as she grazed in the meadows beside the stream of Okeanos (Oceanus)
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• 18.240 - Hera drove the unwilling Helios into the depths of Okeanos (Oceanus) so that the Trojans and the Argives would stop fighting
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• 18.399 - Hephaistos (Hephaestus) recounts how Thetis and Eurynome, daughter of Okeanos (Oceanus), had helped him when he had been thrown from Mount Olympos (Olympus)
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• 18.402 - When Hephaistos (Hephaestus) had been thrown from Mount Olympos (Olympus), Thetis and Eurynome hid him in a cave by the stream of Okeanos (Oceanus)
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• 18.489 - When Hephaistos (Hephaestus) was decorating the shield for Achilles, he included the constellation of the Bear, i.e. Kallisto (Callisto), Ursa Major (the Great Bear); of the constellations, Kallisto alone is never plunged into the depths of Okeanos (Oceanus)
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• 18.606 - When Hephaistos (Hephaestus) was decorating the shield for Achilles, he rimmed the shield with a depiction of Okeanos (Oceanus)
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• 19.001 - When yellow robed Eos (Dawn) rose above Okeanos (Oceanus), Thetis came to her son, Achilles
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• 20.007 - When Zeus called an assembly of the Immortals, Okeanos (Oceanus) was the only river not present
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• 21.195 - Achilles tells the Trojan, Asteropaios (Asteropaeus), that someone descended from a river does not have a chance against his spear because he is descended from Zeus; he says that not even the river Acheloios (Achelous) would dare stand against Zeus
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• 21.196 - Achilles tells Asteropaios (Asteropaeus) that all rivers flow from Okeanos (Oceanus)
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• 21.198 - Achilles tells Asteropaios (Asteropaeus) that Okeanos (Oceanus) is afraid of the lightning of Zeus
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• 23.205 - At the house of Zephyros (West Wind), Iris tells the assembled winds that Achilles has prayed for their help; she explains that she must hurry away because she must go back to the waters of Okeanos (Oceanus) and to the land of the Aithiopians (Ethiopians)

Parthenios (Parthenius) - Παρθενιον

• 02.854 - Pylaimones was commander of the Paphlagones, whose homes were around the Parthenios (Parthenius) river, land of the wild mules

Peneios (Peneius) - Πηνειον

• 02.753 - Titaressos (Titaressus) flows into Peneios (Peneius) but their waters do not mix
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• 02.755 - The river Titaressos (Titaressus) is a branch of Styx, the fearful oath river, and flows across the silver eddies of the river Peneios (Peneius) without mingling his waters
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• 02.757 - Prothoos (Prothous) led the Magnesians and those who dwell near Peneios (Peneius) and Mount Pelion

Rhesos (Rhesus) - ‘Ρασος

• 12.020 - Apollon and Poseidon take counsel to destroy the wall and ditch that the Danaans had built; they plan to use the destructive forces of the rivers which flow from Mount Ida to the sea: Rhesos (Rhesus), Heptaporos (Heptaporus), Aisepos (Aesepus), Karesos (Caresus), Rhodios (Rhodius), Grenikos (Granicus), Aisepos (Aesepus), Skamandros (Scamander) and Simoeis (Simois)

Rhodios - ‘Ροδιος

• 12.021 - Apollon and Poseidon take counsel to destroy the wall and ditch that the Danaans had built; they plan to use the destructive forces of the rivers which flow from Mount Ida to the sea: Rhesos (Rhesus), Heptaporos (Heptaporus), Aisepos (Aesepus), Karesos (Caresus), Rhodios (Rhodius), Grenikos (Granicus), Aisepos (Aesepus), Skamandros (Scamander) and Simoeis (Simois)

Sangarios (Sangarius) - Σαγγαριον

• 03.187 - As they watch Agamemnon from the walls of Troy, Priam tells Helen that he once saw the Amazons at war in Phrygia, near the banks of Sangarios (Sangarius)

Satnioeis - Σατνιοεντι

• 21.087 - A son of king Priam begs Achilles for his life and says that he is from Pedasos (Pedasus) on the river Satnioeis

Simoeis (Simois) - Σιμοεις

• 05.774 - Hera left her chariot where Simoeis (Simois) and Skamandros (Scamander) come together
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• 05.778 - Hera let her horses graze on the grass of Simoeis (Simois) which is like ambrosia
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• 06.004 - The two armies fought on the plain between the waters of Xanthos (Xanthus) and Simoeis (Simois)
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• 12.022 - Apollon and Poseidon take counsel to destroy the wall and ditch that the Danaans had built; they plan to use the destructive forces of the rivers which flow from Mount Ida to the sea: Rhesos (Rhesus), Heptaporos (Heptaporus), Aisepos (Aesepus), Karesos (Caresus), Rhodios (Rhodius), Grenikos (Granicus), Aisepos (Aesepus), Skamandros (Scamander) and Simoeis (Simois)
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• 20.053 - Ares bellowed from the walls of Troy as the Trojan army ran in confusion beside Simoeis (Simois)
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• 21.307 - Skamandros (Scamander) calls to his brother, Simoeis (Simois), to help hold back the fury of Achilles

Skamandros (Scamander); known to the Immortals as Xanthos (Xanthus) - Σκαμανδριον

• 02.465 - The Achaeans (Achaians) thundered onto the plain of Skamandros (Scamander) like swarms of birds
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• 02.467 - Thousands of Achaeans (Achaians) took their position in the meadow of Skamandros (Scamander) like leaves and flowers in their season
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• 05.036 - Athene (Athena) leads Ares from the battle and seats him on the banks of Skamandros (Scamander)
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• 05.077 - Dolopion was a priest of Skamandros (Scamander)
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• 05.774 - Hera left her chariot where Simoeis (Simois) and Skamandros (Scamander) come together
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• 07.329 - Nestor tells Agamemnon that they should call for a pause in the fighting so they can retrieve the bodies of the men who have fallen by the waters of Skamandros (Scamander)
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• 11.499 - Hector was fighting by the banks of Skamandros (Scamander) and did not see Aias slaughtering the other Trojans
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• 12.021 - Apollon and Poseidon take counsel to destroy the wall and ditch that the Danaans had built; they plan to use the destructive forces of the rivers which flow from Mount Ida to the sea: Rhesos (Rhesus), Heptaporos (Heptaporus), Aisepos (Aesepus), Karesos (Caresus), Rhodios (Rhodius), Grenikos (Granicus), Aisepos (Aesepus), Skamandros (Scamander) and Simoeis (Simois)
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• 20.074 - Xanthos (Xanthus), known to mortals as Skamandros Scamander), stood against Hephaistos (Hephaestus) in the battle-lines
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• 21.124 - Achilles throws the dead body of Priam’s son in Skamandros (Scamander) for the fish to eat
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• 21.136 - When Achilles kept throwing the bodies of the dead Trojans into the river, Skamandros (Scamander) became angry
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• 21.212 - Skamandros (Scamander) speaks to Achilles and tells him to take the fighting onto the plain and not to clog his waters with more corpses
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• 21.223 - Achilles answers Skamandros (Scamander) and says that he will not stop fighting until Hector is dead
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• 21.228 - Skamandros (Scamander) speaks to Apollon and berates him for allowing Achilles to slaughter the Trojans
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• 21.247 - Skamandros (Scamandros), the great god, rises from his banks and attacks Achilles
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• 21.305 - Skamandros (Scamander) would not abate his fury against Achilles
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• 21.307 - Skamandros (Scamander) calls to his brother, Simoeis (Simois), to help hold back the fury of Achilles
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• 21.356 - Skamandros (Scamander) calls out to Hephaistos (Hephaestus) to cease the fire that is consuming the river
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• 21.368 - Skamandros (Scamander) calls out to Hera and says that the fire of her son, Hephaistos (Hephaestus), is consuming the river
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• 21.603 - Apollon takes the form of Agenor and leads Achilles away from the walls of Troy and along the banks of Skamandros (Scamander)
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• 22.148 - The springs of Skamandros (Scamander) are double jets of water, one is warm and the other is cool

Spercheios (Spercheius) - Σπερχειον

• 16.174 - One of the commanders who came to Troy with Achilles was Menesthios (Menesthius), son of Spercheios (Spercheius) and Polydore (Polydora)

Styx - Στυξ

Although Styx is an Okeanid, i.e. a daughter of Okeanos (Oceanus) and Tethys, and not a River, she is often called The Oath River and for that reason I have included her here.

• 02.755 - The river Titaressos (Titaressus) is a branch of Styx, the fearful Oath River, and flows across the silver eddies of the river Peneios (Peneius) without mingling his waters
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• 08.369 - Athene (Athena) tells Hera how she rescued Herakles (Heracles) and saved him from the Stygian water
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• 14.271 - Hera swears on the River Styx that she will give Hypnos (Sleep) Pasithea, one of the younger Graces, in marriage if he will help her trick Zeus
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• 15.037 - Hera swears to Zeus, by heaven, earth and the water of Styx, that Poseidon entered the battle between the Trojans and Danaans without her prompting

Titaressos (Titaressus) - Τιταρησσον

• 02.751 - The lovely waters of Titaressos (Titaressus)
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• 02.752 - Titaressos (Titaressus) flows into Peneios (Peneius) but their waters do not mix
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• 02.755 - The river Titaressos (Titaressus) is a branch of Styx, the fearful oath river, and flows across the silver eddies of the river Peneios (Peneius) without mingling his waters

Xanthos (Xanthus) near Troy; known to mortals as Skamandros (Scamander) - Ξανθον

• 06.004 - The two armies fought on the plain between the waters of Xanthos (Xanthus) and Simoeis (Simois)
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• 08.561 - A thousand Trojan campfires burned on the plain by the waters of Xanthos (Xanthus)
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• 14.434 - The injured Hector was taken to the river Xanthos (Xanthus), the son of Zeus, and splashed with water
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• 20.040 - Apollon, Artemis, Aphrodite, Leto and Xanthos (Xanthus) fought on the side of the Trojans
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• 20.074 - Xanthos (Xanthus), known to mortals as Skamandros Scamander), stood against Hephaistos (Hephaestus) in the battle-lines
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• 21.002 - Achilles forced half of the retreating Trojans into the waters of Xanthos (Xanthus), the son of Zeus
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• 21.015 - Achilles drove the confused Trojans into the whirling waters of Xanthos (Xanthus)
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• 21.145 - Xanthos (Xanthus) inspired valor in Asteropaios (Asteropaeus) even though Achilles was determined to kill him
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• 21.332 - Hera tells Hephaistos (Hephaestus) to fight against Xanthos (Xanthus)
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• 21.337 - Hera tells Hephaistos (Hephaestus) to set fire to the trees on the banks of Xanthos (Xanthus)
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• 21.383 - Hera restrained Hephaistos (Hephaestus) after Xanthos (Xanthus) had been beaten
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• 24.693 - After Priam retrieved the body of Hector from Achilles, Hermes escorted him back to the crossing of Xanthos (Xanthus), son of Zeus

Xanthos (Xanthus) in Lykia (Lycia) - Ξανθον

• 02.877 - Sarpedon and Glaukos (Glaucus) were commanders of troops from Lykia (Lycia) near the whirling waters of Xanthos (Xanthus)
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• 05.479 - Sarpedon scolds Hector and reminds him that he left his home in Lykia (Lycia), near the waters of Xanthos (Xanthus), to help protect Troy
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• 06.172 - Glaukos (Glaucus) tells the story of Bellerophontes (Bellerophon) and how he went to the stream of Xanthos (Xanthus) in Lykia (Lycia)
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• 12.313 - Sarpedon tells Glaukos (Glaucus) that they must set a good example in battle because they were honored men at their home in Lykia (Lycia) with fertile land on the banks of Xanthos (Xanthus)

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