Aristaeus
by Ignazio Caloggero
Reference page: Repertory of Cults and Myths
She was an ancient Greek deity, protector of sheep farming and agriculture and her cult was later associated with that of Dionysus. Aristaeus was considered the son of Apollo and the nymph Cyrene. He was raised by the centaur Chiron, who taught him the art of war and hunting, and by the nymphs who taught him to cultivate olive trees, to handle milk and to keep beehives. As an adult, despite Chiron's teachings, he dedicated himself to pastoral life and beekeeping and after his death he was called among the immortals by his father Apollo. It is said that he often came to the aid of the shepherds who built temples for him and offered him sacrifices.
Eurydice and Aristaeus: Nicolò dell'Abate (1570) National Gallery of London [1]
In Sicily, the figure of Aristaeus, as was the case with Heracles, is seen as that of a wandering hero who, passing through the island, taught shepherds and farmers the art of pastoralism and agriculture. In particular, he is credited with teaching the art of cultivating olive trees [2] . His cult, according to Diodorus, was widespread throughout Sicily but, unlike Heracles, there is little information about him.
In Syracuse, however, his cult must have been present since Cicero, in the trial against Verres, accused the latter of having publicly stolen a statue of Aristaeus from the temple of Dionysus [3]
Aristaeus – Francois-Joseph Bosio (1817) Louvre, Paris [4]
[1] https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Nicol%C3%B2_dell%27Abate_-_Orpheus_and_Eurydice_-_WGA00013.jpg#/media/File:Abbate_-_Orpheus_and_Eurydice.jpg
[2] Diodorus Siculus lib. IV.81
[3] Cicero, Verrine, II.IV.128
[4] https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aristeo#/media/File:Aristaeus_Bosio_Louvre_LL51.jpg
The Myth in the IWB Register of the Sicily Region
Excerpt from the book “ Myths of Ancient Sicily” by Ignazio Caloggero ISBN:9788832060157 © 2022 Centro Studi Helios srl
[1] Diodorus lib.IV.23
[2] Ciaceri Emanuele: Cults and Myths of Ancient Sicily p. 50
To view the places of the Myth on an Interactive Map, see the following web page: The places of Erice
