A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology

Smith, William

A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology. William Smith, LLD, ed. 1890

( Καταιβάτης), occurs as a surname of several gods. 1. Of Zeus, who is described by it as the god who descends in thunder and lightning. Under this name he had an altar at Olympia. (Paus. 5.14.8; Lycophr. 1370.) Places which had been struck by lightning, i. e. on which Zeus Cataelbates had descended, were sacred to him. (Poliux, 9.41; Suid. and Hesych. s. v.) 2. Of Acheron, being the first river to which the shades descended in the lower world. 3. Of Apollo, who was invoked by this name to grant a happy return home (κατάβασις) to those who were travelling abroad. (Eurip. Baech. 1358; Schol. ad Eurip. Phoen. 1416.) 4. Of Hermes, who conducted the shades into Hades. (Schol. ad Aristoph. Pac. 649.)

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