Alpheus



Alpheus, or Alpheios, is a river that flows through Arcadia and Elis. The name also applies to the god of that river.

In mythology, Alpheus was the son of Oceanus and Tethys. He fell in love with the nymph Arethousa, who fled from him and turned herself into a spring. However, Alpheus mixed his waters with hers. Alpheus' course was redirected by Heracles, in order to clean the stables of Augeas, King of Arcadia, as part of the hero's fifth labour. Alpheus was the grandfather of Dorodoche, wife of Icarius and father of Penelope.