ACHELOUS, a river of Acarnania; which rises in Mount Pindus, and, dividing Ætolia from Acarnania, falls from north to south into the Sinus Corinthiacus. It was formerly called Thoas from its impetuosity, and king of rivers (Homer). The epithet Achelous is used for Aquus, (Virgil); the ancients calling all water Achelous, especially in oaths, vows, and sacrifices, according to Ephorus: Now called Aspro Potamo. Rivers are by the ancient poets called Tauriformes, either
either from the bellowing of their waters, or from their ploughing the earth in their course: Hercules, restraining by dykes and mounds the inundations of the Achelous, is said to have broken off one of his horns, and to have brought back plenty to the country. See the preceding article.