ERETTEUS. – An ancient hero, mythical king of Athens, born of the Earth and raised by Athena in her own temple. The ancients and some moderns have identified him with ERITONIUS. In historical times he had a temple on the Acropolis, where sacrifices were offered to him together with Poseidon. Among his exploits was the famous war against the Eleusinians, commanded by Eumolpus, son of Poseidon. They were defeated after the sacrifice, advised by Apollo, of E.’s daughter; but Poseidon, enraged at the death of Eumolpus, destroyed E. and all his family.
Bibl.: M. P. Nilsson, Geschichte der griechischen Religion, I, München 1941, pp. 194, 294, 325, 375, 414 sqq., 421. Luisa Banti.