Acoetes (helmsman)

01Identity

Acoetes (helmsman) in Greek tradition

Acoetes tells Pentheus that he comes from Maeonia and grew up in a poor fishing household. His father leaves him no fields, flocks or herds, only the craft of fishing. Acoetes later learns to guide a ship’s helm and read the stars and winds. That skill brings him to the coast of Dia, where his crew takes a sleeping youth aboard. Acoetes urges them to treat the stranger with care, but the sailors mean to deceive him.

When the youth says he wishes to go to Naxos, Acoetes turns the ship toward that shore. The crew orders him away from the course and takes the helm to steer elsewhere; Acoetes withdraws rather than help carry out the deception. The captive then reveals divine power, and the ship and crew are transformed. Later, Pentheus questions Acoetes about the rites of Bacchus and has him imprisoned. The sailor’s account is followed by the opening of the prison doors and the falling of his chains.

SourceThe Metamorphoses of Ovid; Henry T. Riley translation, London: George Bell & Sons, 1889; Book III, printed pp. 111-115

The quick answers

Who is Acoetes (helmsman)?
Acoetes (helmsman) is a Greek hero.

02The myths

The myths of Acoetes (helmsman)

1 myth, with sources recorded for each.

Acoetes Tells Pentheus of Bacchus

Pentheus demanded the name and country of the prisoner brought before him. Acoetes answered that he came from Maeonia and was the son of a poor fisherman; his father passed the fishing trade on to him. Acoetes later learned to guide a ship’s helm and read the stars and winds. He told Pentheus how a companion brought a beautiful, sleeping youth aboard their ship. Acoetes suspected that a god lay within the boy and asked his crew to treat him with care. The men ignored him. They swore they would take the youth to Naxos, Bacchus’s home, but when Acoetes turned the ship toward that island, the sailors ordered him to steer away. Acoetes refused to assist their deception and gave up the helm. One sailor seized him and nearly threw him into the sea.

Bacchus woke and asked where the ship was going. When the crew kept up their deceit, the vessel stopped in the water. Ivy wound round the oars, vines hung from the sails, and wild animals appeared around the god. The sailors leapt overboard and changed into sea creatures, while Acoetes remained. He took the ship to Dia and served at Bacchus’s altar. Pentheus dismissed this account and sent Acoetes to prison. The doors opened by themselves, and his chains slipped from his arms without anyone releasing them.