Arete (mythology)

In Greek mythology, Queen Arete (Greek:, Arêtê) of Scheria was the wife of Alcinous and mother of Nausicaa and Laodamas. She welcomed Odysseus and treated him hospitably. Her name appears to be associated with the Ionic noun ἀρητή, meaning "sacred", "cursed" or "prayed"; but it could also mean "excellence" (ἀρετή). Some sources claim that it means "righteous", while others connect it with Ares, the Greek god of war.

Arete is a descendant of Poseidon, who, making love to Periboea, begot Nausithous, who in turn had two sons, Rhexenor and Alcinous. Rhexenor later spawned Arete with Apollo.