Scamander

God

Scamander (), also Skamandros (Ancient Greek: Σκάμανδρος) or Xanthos (Ξάνθος), was a river god in Greek mythology.

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Mentions
17
Connected characters
24
Books
6
Scamander. Achilles Xanthos Simoeis Couder decoration Louvre INV3379
Achilles Xanthos Simoeis Couder decoration Louvre INV3379 · Marie-Lan NguyenImage source Public domain

Mentions in the Iliad

A. T. Murray, Loeb Classical Library, Harvard University Press, 1924 · Homer, Iliad with an English Translation · CC BY-SA 3.0 US

“So spake she, and led furious Ares forth from the battle. Then she made him to sit down on the sandy banks of Scamander, and the Trojans were turned in flight by the Danaans. Each one of the captains slew his man; first the king of men, Agamemnon, thrust from his car the leader of the Halizones, great Odius,”
Il. 5.35–39
“So he fell in the dust, and bit the cold bronze with his teeth. And Eurypylus, son of Euaemon, slew goodly Hypsenor, son of Dolopion high of heart, that was made priest of Scamander, and was honoured of the folk even as a god—upon him did Eurypylus, Euaemon's glorious son,”
Il. 5.75–79
“Rhesus and Heptaporus and Caresus and Rhodius, and Granicus and Aesepus, and goodly Scamander, and Simois, by the banks whereof many shields of bull's-hide and many helms fell in the dust, and the race of men half-divine—of all these did Phoebus Apollo turn the mouths together,”
Il. 12.20–24
“that stood waiting for him at the rear of the battle and the conflict, with their charioteer and chariot richly dight. These bare him groaning heavily toward the city. But when they were now come to the ford of the fair-flowing river, even eddying Xanthus, that immortal Zeus begat,”
Il. 14.430–434
“and Leto and Xanthus and laughter-loving Aphrodite. Now as long as the gods were afar from the mortal men, even for so long triumphed the Achaeans mightily, seeing Achilles was come forth, albeit he had long kept him aloof from grievous battle; but upon the Trojans came dread trembling on the limbs of every man”
Il. 20.40–44
“against Hera stood forth the huntress of the golden arrows, and the echoing chase, even the archer Artemis, sister of the god that smiteth afar; against Leto stood forth the strong helper, Hermes, and against Hephaestus the great, deep-eddying river, that god called Xanthus, and men Scamander.”
Il. 20.70–74
“But when they were now come to the ford of the fair-flowing river, even eddying Xanthus that immortal Zeus begat, there Achilles cleft them asunder, and the one part he drave to the plain toward the city, even where the Achaeans were fleeing in rout”
Il. 21.1–4
See all 17
“Him then Achilles seized by the foot and flung into the river to go his way, and vaunting over him he spake winged words: Lie there now among the fishes that shall lick the blood from thy wound, nor reck aught of thee, neither shall thy mother lay thee on a bier and make lament;”
Il. 21.120–124
“stood forth from the river to face him, holding two spears; and courage was set in his heart by Xanthus, being wroth because of the youths slain in battle, of whom Achilles was making havoc along the stream and had no pity. But when they were come near, as they advanced one against the other, then finst unto Asteropaeus spake swift-footed, goodly Achilles:”
Il. 21.145–149
“and Mnesus and Thrasius and Aenius and Ophelestes; and yet more of the Paeonians would swift Achilles have slain, had not the deep-eddying River waxed wroth and called to him in the semblance of a man, sending forth a voice from out the deep eddy: O Achilles, beyond men art thou in might, and beyond men doest deeds of evil;”
Il. 21.210–214
“being choked with dead, while thou ever slayest ruthlessly. Nay, come, let be; amazement holds me, thou leader of hosts. Then swift-footed Achilles answered him, saying: Thus shall it be, Scamander, nurtured of Zeus, even as thou biddest. Howbeit the proud Trojan will I not cease to slay”
Il. 21.220–224
“toward the plain, or mightily did the bidding of the gods arouse him; and the whole plain was filled with a flood of water, and many goodly arms and corpses of youths slain in battle were floating there. But on high leapt his knees, as he rushed straight on against the flood, nor might the wide-flowing River stay him; for Athene put in him great strength.”
Il. 21.300–304
“neither will the Trojans abide him in battle. Nay, bear thou aid with speed, and fill thy streams with water from thy springs, and arouse all thy torrents; raise thou a great wave, and stir thou a mighty din of tree-trunks and stones, that we may check this fierce man”
Il. 21.310–314
“past all measuring; nor shall the Achaeans know where to gather his bones, with such a depth of silt shall I enshroud him. Even here shall be his sepulchre, nor shall he have need of a heaped-up mound, when the Achaeans make his funeral. He spake, and rushed tumultuously upon Achilles, raging on high”
Il. 21.320–324
“Burned were the elms and the willows and the tamarisks, burned the lotus and the rushes and the galingale, that round the fair streams of the river grew abundantly; tormented were the eels and the fishes in the eddies, and in the fair streams they plunged this way and that,”
Il. 21.350–354
“so burned in fire his fair streams, and the water boiled; nor had he any mind to flow further onward, but was stayed; for the blast of the might of wise-hearted Hephaestus distressed him. Then with instant prayer he spake winged words unto Hera: Hera, wherefore hath thy son beset my stream to afflict it”
Il. 21.365–369
“And Hermes yoked for them the horses and mules, and himself lightly drave them through the camp, neither had any man knowledge thereof. But when they were now come to the ford of the fair-flowing river, even eddying Xanthus, that immortal Zeus begat, then Hermes departed to high Olympus,”
Il. 24.690–694

Connections

Father · Sources
Father · Sources
that stood waiting for him at the rear of the battle and the conflict, with their charioteer and chariot richly dight. These bare him groaning heavily toward the city. But when they were now come to the ford of the fair-flowing river, even eddying Xanthus, that immortal Zeus begat,
Il. 14.434
But when they were now come to the ford of the fair-flowing river, even eddying Xanthus that immortal Zeus begat, there Achilles cleft them asunder, and the one part he drave to the plain toward the city, even where the Achaeans were fleeing in rout
Il. 21.2
And Hermes yoked for them the horses and mules, and himself lightly drave them through the camp, neither had any man knowledge thereof. But when they were now come to the ford of the fair-flowing river, even eddying Xanthus, that immortal Zeus begat, then Hermes departed to high Olympus,
Il. 24.693

Il. 14.434 · Il. 21.2 · Il. 24.693

Brother through father · Sources
Brother through father · Sources

Братство или сестринство выведено из общего родителя: Зевс. Матери и отцы, не указанные в источнике, не предполагаются. Квалификация братства/сестринства: Илиада: Общий отец подтверждён; сведения о матерях неполны. Различие матерей не установлено. Общие родители: Зевс.

Wikidata: Гера — роль родителя · P25 Wikidata: Зевс — роль родителя · P22 Wikidata: Зевс — роль родителя · P22
took furious Ares by the hand and spake to him, saying: Ares, Ares, thou bane of mortals, thou blood-stained stormer of walls, shall we not now leave the Trojans and Achaeans to fight, to whichsoever of the two it be that father Zeus shall vouchsafe glory? But for us twain, let us give place, and avoid the wrath of Zeus.
Il. 5.33
Howbeit I will no longer endure that thou shouldest be in pain, for thou art mine offspring, and it was to me that thy mother bare thee; but wert thou born of any other god, thus pestilent as thou art, then long ere this hadst thou been lower than the sons of heaven. He spake, and bade Paeëon heal his hurt;
Il. 5.896
that stood waiting for him at the rear of the battle and the conflict, with their charioteer and chariot richly dight. These bare him groaning heavily toward the city. But when they were now come to the ford of the fair-flowing river, even eddying Xanthus, that immortal Zeus begat,
Il. 14.434

Il. 5.33 · Il. 5.896 · Il. 14.434 · Il. 21.2 · Il. 24.693

Brother through father · Sources
Brother through father · Sources

Братство или сестринство выведено из общего родителя: Зевс. Матери и отцы, не указанные в источнике, не предполагаются. Квалификация братства/сестринства: Илиада: Общий отец подтверждён; сведения о матерях неполны. Различие матерей не установлено. Общие родители: Зевс.

Wikidata: Зевс — пол родителя · P21 Wikidata: Зевс — роль родителя · P22
And when they were come near as they advanced one against the other, the son and grandson of Zeus the cloud-gatherer, then Tlepolemus was first to speak, saying: Sarpedon, counsellor of the Lycians, why must thou be skulking here, that art a man unskilled in battle?They speak but a lie that say thou art sprung from Zeus that beareth the aegis, seeing thou art inferior far to those warriors that were sprung from Zeus in the days of men of old. Of other sort, men say, was mighty Heracles, my father, staunch in fight, the lionhearted,
Il. 5.634–635
And Tlepolemus smote Sarpedon upon the left thigh with his long spear, and the point sped through furiously and grazed the bone; howbeit his father as yet warded from him destruction. Then his goodly companions bare godlike Sarpedon forth from out the fight, and the long spear burdened him sore,as it trailed, but no man marked it or thought in their haste to draw forth from his thigh the spear of ash, that he might stand upon his feet; such toil had they in tending him. And on the other side the well-greaved Achaeans bare Tlepolemus from out the fight, and goodly Odysseusof the enduring soul was ware of it, and his spirit waxed furious within him; and he pondered then in heart and soul whether he should pursue further after the son of Zeus that thundereth aloud, or should rather take the lives of more Lycians. But not for great-hearted Odysseus was it ordained
Il. 5.662–672
to slay with the sharp bronze the valiant son of Zeus; wherefore Athene turned his mind toward the host of the Lycians. Then slew he Coeranus and Alastor and Chromius and Alcandrus and Halius and Noëmon and Prytanis; and yet more of the Lycians would goodly Odysseus have slain,
Il. 5.675

Il. 5.634–635 · Il. 5.662–672 · Il. 5.675 · Il. 6.198–199 · Il. 12.292 · Il. 12.402–403 · Il. 14.434 · Il. 15.67 · Il. 16.522 · Il. 21.2 · Il. 24.693

Brother through father · Sources
Brother through father · Sources

Братство или сестринство выведено из общего родителя: Зевс. Матери и отцы, не указанные в источнике, не предполагаются. Квалификация братства/сестринства: Илиада: Общий отец подтверждён; сведения о матерях неполны. Различие матерей не установлено. Общие родители: Зевс.

Wikidata: Зевс — роль родителя · P22 Wikidata: Лето — роль родителя · P25 Wikidata: Зевс — роль родителя · P22
from the time when first they parted in strife Atreus' son, king of men, and brilliant Achilles. Who then of the gods was it that brought these two together to contend? The son of Leto and Zeus; for he in anger against the king roused throughout the host an evil pestilence, and the people began to perish,
Il. 1.9
to sacred Ilios. And Apollo sped forth to meet her, for he looked down from out of Pergamus and beheld her, and was fain to have victory for the Trojans. So the twain met one with the other by the oak-tree. Then to her spake first the king Apollo, son of Zeus: Wherefore art thou again come thus eagerly from Olympus, thou daughter of great Zeus,
Il. 7.23
that stood waiting for him at the rear of the battle and the conflict, with their charioteer and chariot richly dight. These bare him groaning heavily toward the city. But when they were now come to the ford of the fair-flowing river, even eddying Xanthus, that immortal Zeus begat,
Il. 14.434

Il. 1.9 · Il. 7.23 · Il. 14.434 · Il. 15.236 · Il. 20.103 · Il. 21.2 · Il. 21.229 · Il. 22.302 · Il. 24.693

Sister through father · Sources
Sister through father · Sources

Братство или сестринство выведено из общего родителя: Зевс. Матери и отцы, не указанные в источнике, не предполагаются. Квалификация братства/сестринства: Илиада: Общий отец подтверждён; сведения о матерях неполны. Различие матерей не установлено. Общие родители: Зевс.

Гомер, Илиада — роль родителя · Ил. 3.236–238 Wikidata: Зевс — роль родителя · P22 Wikidata: Зевс — роль родителя · P22
His battle-gear lieth upon the bounteous earth, but himself he rangeth like the bell-wether of a herd through the ranks of warriors. Like a ram he seemeth to me, a ram of thick fleece, that paceth through a great flock of white ewes. To him made answer Helen, sprung from Zeus:
Il. 3.199
and hate thee, even as now I love thee wondrously; and lest I devise grievous hatred between both, Trojans alike and Danaans; then wouldst thou perish of an evil fate. So spake she, and Helen, sprung from Zeus, was seized with fear; and she went, wrapping herself in her bright shining mantle,
Il. 3.418
that stood waiting for him at the rear of the battle and the conflict, with their charioteer and chariot richly dight. These bare him groaning heavily toward the city. But when they were now come to the ford of the fair-flowing river, even eddying Xanthus, that immortal Zeus begat,
Il. 14.434

Il. 3.199 · Il. 3.418 · Il. 14.434 · Il. 21.2 · Il. 24.693

Brother through father · Sources
Brother through father · Sources

Братство или сестринство выведено из общего родителя: Зевс. Матери и отцы, не указанные в источнике, не предполагаются. Квалификация братства/сестринства: Илиада: Общий отец подтверждён; сведения о матерях неполны. Различие матерей не установлено. Общие родители: Зевс.

Wikidata: Зевс — пол родителя · P21 Wikidata: Зевс — роль родителя · P22
And so suffered monstrous Hades even as the rest a bitter arrow, when this same man, the son of Zeus that beareth the aegis, smote him in Pylos amid the dead, and gave him over to pains. But he went to the house of Zeus and to high Olympus with grief at heart, pierced through with pains;
Il. 5.396
howbeit mine own father rageth with evil mind, cruel that he is, ever froward, a thwarter of my purposes; neither hath he any memory of this, that full often I saved his son when he was fordone by reason of Eurystheus' tasks. For verily he would make lament toward heaven and from heaven would Zeussend me forth to succour him. Had I but known all this in wisdom of my heart when Eurystheus sent him forth to the house of Hades the Warder, to bring from out of Erebus the hound of loathed Hades, then had he not escaped the sheer-falling waters of Styx.
Il. 8.363–365
Deemest thou that Zeus, whose voice is borne afar, will aid the Trojans, even as he waxed wroth for the sake of Heracles, his own son? Nay, come, I will give thee one of the youthful Graces to wed to be called thy wife, even Pasithea, for whom thou ever longest all thy days.
Il. 14.266

Il. 5.396 · Il. 8.363–365 · Il. 14.266 · Il. 14.324 · Il. 14.434 · Il. 21.2 · Il. 24.693

Sister through father · Sources
Sister through father · Sources

Братство или сестринство выведено из общего родителя: Зевс. Матери и отцы, не указанные в источнике, не предполагаются. Квалификация братства/сестринства: Илиада: Общий отец подтверждён; сведения о матерях неполны. Различие матерей не установлено. Общие родители: Зевс.

Wikidata: Зевс — роль родителя · P22 Wikidata: Зевс — роль родителя · P22
Then he addressed her with winged words, and said: Why now, daughter of aegis-bearing Zeus, have you come? Is it so that you might see the arrogance of Agamemnon, son of Atreus? One thing I will tell you, and I think this will be brought to pass: through his own excessive pride shall he presently lose his life.
Il. 1.202
And with him there followed forty black ships. And they that held Athens, the well-built citadel, the land of great-hearted Erechtheus, whom of old Athene, daughter of Zeus, fostered, when the earth, the giver of grain, had borne him; and she made him to dwell in Athens, in her own rich sanctuary,
Il. 2.548
So would many a one of Achaeans and Trojans speak. But Athene entered the throng of the Trojans in the guise of a man, even of Laodocus, son of Antenor, a valiant spearman, in quest of god-like Pandarus, if haply she might find him. And she found Lycaon's son, peerless and stalwart,
Il. 4.87

Il. 1.202 · Il. 2.548 · Il. 4.87 · Il. 4.128 · Il. 4.515 · Il. 5.33 · Il. 5.115 · Il. 5.421 · Il. 5.714 · Il. 5.733 · Il. 5.815 · Il. 5.875–880 · Il. 6.303–304 · Il. 6.312 · Il. 7.24 · Il. 8.39 · Il. 8.352 · Il. 8.384 · Il. 8.427 · Il. 10.278 · Il. 10.284 · Il. 10.553 · Il. 14.434 · Il. 19.342 · Il. 21.2 · Il. 21.416 · Il. 22.178 · Il. 24.693

See all 24

In art

Auguste Couder. Water, or the Fight of Achilles against Scamander and Simoeis. Department of Paintings of the Louvre. Public domain. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q29862700

Photograph / reproduction: Marie-Lan Nguyen

Photograph / reproduction date: 2008

Sources and verification

The character is matched to the catalogue.

Wikidata Q1134694

Reference material remains distinct from the poem’s assertions. Characters who share a name retain separate pages.