Ascalaphus

For the owlfly genus, see Ascalaphus (insect).

In Greek mythology, two people share the name Ascalaphus/Askalaphos (Greek: Ἀσκάλαφος).

1. Son of Acheron and Orphne. Askalaphos was the orchardist of Hades. He told the other gods that Persephone had eaten a pomegranate in Hades. He was punished by being changed into an owl. After being transformed into a screech owl, he became the familiar bird of Hades, King of the Underworld.
2. Son of Ares and Astyoche, daughter of Actor, son of Azeus, son of Erginus. He was King of Orchomenus, and twin brother of Ialmenus. The brothers were counted among the Argonauts and the suitors of Helen, and led the Orchomenian contingent in the Trojan War. Ascalaphus died in the Trojan War as a result of a spear thrown by Deiphobus.