Arcas

Arcas is the son of Zeus and commonly Callisto (in some variants other mothers such as Megisto or Themisto are named). After his birth Zeus hid him and in one account gave him into the care of Maia. As he grows he becomes famed as Arcadia's greatest hunter and later its king; the region is said to be named for him. His life intersects with a notorious episode in which at a feast of King Lycaon he was placed upon a burning altar as a sacrifice; Arcas called on Zeus, who made him whole and punished Lycaon. In later mythic resolution Arcas and his mother Callisto are placed among the stars—Arcas associated with the constellation Boötes and Callisto with Ursa Major—so that the pair form a celestial memorial.

Sources supply no detailed physical portrait beyond his roles. He is portrayed as a hunter—often depicted in the narrative poised with bow and arrow in the episode where he nearly shoots his mother in bear form—and later as a king. No specific clothing, stature, or distinguishing marks are recorded in the supplied materials.

As a culture-hero Arcas is credited with civilising achievements: teaching the arts of weaving and baking bread and spreading agriculture in Arcadia. He is renowned as a foremost hunter and becomes king of the region. As a divine son of Zeus his narrative benefits from divine intervention: Zeus hides him for protection, restores him when he is threatened on a burning altar, and in some versions elevates him to the heavens as a constellation. These are narrative attributes rather than independent supernatural powers intrinsic to Arcas himself.