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Greek Mythology

Oeneus, Heracles, Nessus and Deianeira

In Greek mythology, Oeneus, or Oineus ( Οἰνεὺς, Οινέας ) was a Calydonian king, son of Porthaon, husband of Althaea and father of Meleager and Melanippe. He introduced winemaking to Aetolia, which he learned from Dionysus. His brother's, Agrius', sons deposed him but Diomedes put Oeneus back on the Calydonian throne. He was buried in Argos by Diomedes. He sent Meleager out to find heroes to kill the Calydonian Boar, which was ravaging Calydon because Oeneus had forgotten to honor Artemis at the harvest ceremonies.

Apollodorus Library and Epitome 1.8.1

Reigning over Calydon, Oeneus was the first who received a vine-plant from Dionysus. He married Althaea, daughter of Thestius, and begat Toxeus, whom he slew with his own hand because he leaped over the ditch. And besides Toxeus he had Thyreus and Clymenus, and a daughter Gorge, whom Andraemon married, and another daughter Deianira, who is said to have been begotten on Althaea by Dionysus. This Deianira drove a chariot and practised the art of war, and Hercules wrestled for her hand with Achelous.

Oeneus was the father of Tydeus by Periboea, though Tydeus was exiled from Aetolia and appears in myths concerning Argos.

Greek Mythology