A son of the Sicilian river-god Crimisus and of a Trojan woman of the name of Egesta or Segesta. Aeneas, on his arrival in Sicily, was hospitably received by him, and, on revisiting the island, celebrated the anniversary of Anchises's death by various games and feats at arms. At a trial of skill in archery, Acestes took part, and discharged his arrow into the air with such force that it took fire, and marked out a pathway of flame, until it was wholly consumed and disappeared from sight. (see also AEGESTES).
Thy destiny remains untold;
For, like Acestes' shaft of old,
The swift thought kindles as it flies,
And burns to ashes in the skies.
-- Longfellow.
{E2 DICTIONARY OF CLASSICAL MYTHOLOGY}
. . . also . . .
Saint Acestes
d. first century
Feastday: July 2
A soldier assigned to escort St. Paul, the great Apostle, to his death. Acestes and two other soldiers were converted by Paul during their brief encounter. The three Romans, horrified by Paul's execution, declared their faith before the onlookers and were promptly beheaded.