Echion

The name Echion appears as the personal name of several mythic actors rather than as a single taxonomic being. Etymologically the name derives from Ancient Greek ἔχις ('viper'), a lexical connection noted in summaries of the tradition. The bearers include: (1) a Gigante counted among the earth-born Giants of primeval mythic generations; (2) a Spartos, one of the sown men produced when Cadmus planted dragon's teeth and from whom Theban founders emerged — this Echion married Cadmus' daughter Agave and fathered Pentheus according to Theban genealogical summaries; (3) an Argonaut named Echion of Alope, described as son of Hermes and Antianeira (alternatively Laothoe in some accounts) who joined the Argonautic expedition (and in certain sources participated in the Calydonian boar hunt); (4) a Greek warrior, son of Portheus, who fought at Troy and was said to have been one of those hidden in the Trojan Horse but who died in the attempt; and (5) a suitor from Dulichium who courted Penelope and was slain on Odysseus' return.

No single unified physical portrait exists because the name denotes multiple persons. As a Gigante Echion is grouped with the Giants and is characterized in summaries by great strength (the accounts do not give a detailed bodily description). As a Spartos he is implicitly a warrior sprung ready-armed from dragon's teeth (the Spartoi are described as sown men who became martial founders). The Argonautic Echion is presented as a heroic seafarer of divine parentage (son of Hermes) with no specific physical description in the supplied summaries. The Trojan-war Echion is attested as a battle-weary Greek warrior who suffered visionary torments prior to his death. The suitor Echion is only identified by role and origin (Dulichium) without physical detail.

Abilities and behaviors vary with each mythic identity. The Gigante Echion is ascribed in summaries an ability to alter the course or direction of winds (an ascription reported in secondary summaries). The Spartoi Echion is famed for martial skill and valor, chosen by Cadmus to be his son-in-law, credited in some local traditions with assisting in the building of Thebes and dedicating a temple of Cybele in Boeotia, and is linked in genealogies as father of Pentheus. The Argonautic Echion, son of Hermes and Antianeira/Laothoe, is described as 'well skilled in craftiness' (a trait associated with Hermes) and is recorded in some sources as participating among the Argonauts and in the Calydonian boar hunt. The Trojan Echion is recorded as one of the Greeks hidden in the wooden horse who died falling while attempting to descend a rope and is characterized as being 'plagued by phantasms of his death.' The suitor Echion shared the behavior of the Ithacan suitors and was killed by Odysseus and his allies.