_01.jpg)
Echetlaeus (Ancient Greek: Ἐχετλαῖος) orEchetlus (Ἔχετλος) was anancient Athenian mythical hero of theBattle of Marathon with thePersians of the Achaemenid Empire. The latter name was also the name of a hero of ancient Thebes.
Echetlus emerged in the narrative tradition current in ancient Athens after the Battle of Marathon.[1] His description was similar toBouzyges, who is often depicted bearded, nude and holding a plough and a cattle prod.[2] Some scholars note the close connection of these two with agriculture. Bouzyges was the hero considered the founder of agriculture and his name meant "yoker of oxen" while Echetlus' meant "he of the plough-handle".[3]
In the battle's account, a man, who resembled a rustic, appeared among the Athenians during the battle and slew many of the Persians with his plough.[3] After the battle, he disappeared. When the Athenians searched for him, they could not find him anywhere. When they consulted theoracle, they were commanded to worship the hero Echetlaeus, that is the hero with theechetlon, orploughshare.[4] It was believed that he was part of the gods' intervention during the conflict, which also included the appearances of divine personages such asAthena andHerakles in the battlefield.[5]
This Echetlus was depicted in the painting which represented the Battle of Marathon in theStoa Poikile (Painted Porch), erected during the 5th century BC and located in theAncient Agora of Athens. The hero was clearly distinguishable in this painting among the combatants in the same manner other heroes who fought at Marathon such asCallimachus, thepolemarch of Athens, andMiltiades were depicted.[6] Echetlus' mythical status in the eyes of the Athenians can be demonstrated by his inclusion in this painting, which also includedAthena,Heracles, and the Attic heroes such asTheseus.[7] The Stoa Poikile was one of the most famous sites in ancient Athens, due to its display of war-related paintings and loot.
This article incorporates text from a publication now in thepublic domain: Smith, William, ed. (1870). "Echetlus".Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology.