Achelous at The Palace of Versailles, France

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In ancient Greek mythology, Achelous was revered as the protector deity of the "silver-swirling" Achelous River, a majestic waterway that dominates Greece as its largest river and supreme ruler of all river spirits. Each river boasted its own unique river spirit, but Achelous stood tall as their chief leader. The mysterious origins of his name remain unknown, shrouded in pre-Greek history. The Greeks cleverly invented elaborate etymologies to link his name to Greek root words, with one popular theory translating "Achelous" as "he who wipes away worries." However, these interpretations are fundamentally flawed and emerged much later than the name itself, rendering them dubious and inaccurate. This exquisite marble sculpture of Achelous was crafted between 1684 and 1688 by the talented French sculptor Simon Maziere (1649-1722). This stunning artwork is part of "Scan The World," a groundbreaking non-profit initiative conceived by MyMiniFactory. Through this effort, we are creating an extensive digital library of fully 3D printable sculptures, artworks, and landmarks from around the globe for the public to access freely. "Scan The World" is an open-source community project that relies on contributions from enthusiasts worldwide. If you possess interesting items and wish to participate, simply email stw@myminifactory.com to discover how you can join this noble endeavor.