Erysichthon and the Sacred Tree
Erysichthon violates a grove sacred to Demeter and is punished with an insatiable hunger that destroys his wealth and ultimately himself.
The Story
Erysichthon was a Thessalian king who showed little respect for the gods.
In the grove of Demeter, he ordered his men to cut down the sacred trees so that he could obtain timber for a great hall. In the tradition preserved by Callimachus, the grove was beloved by Demeter, and one of the trees cried out when it was struck.
Demeter appeared and warned Erysichthon to stop. He refused, and in some accounts personally continued the destruction.
The goddess punished him with an insatiable hunger. The more he ate, the more desperately hungry he became. His wealth was gradually consumed as he bought food, but nothing could satisfy him.
The punishment eventually extended to his family. In the version told by Ovid, Erysichthon sold his daughter Mestra to obtain money for food. Mestra possessed the ability to change her shape, a gift associated with Poseidon, and was therefore able to escape from those who purchased her. Erysichthon repeatedly used this ability to sell her again.
Different ancient traditions treat the story differently. Callimachus focuses on Erysichthon's sacrilege and punishment, while Ovid combines the story with the tale of Mestra's transformations.
In Ovid's account, Erysichthon's hunger ultimately becomes so extreme that he consumes himself.
The myth is a brutal warning about violating sacred places, ignoring divine warnings and allowing greed to become self-destruction.