Mycenaean Saga & House of Atreus Flashcards
Hippodamia
daughter of Oenomaus, king of Pisa
Oenomaus
king of Pisa, in love with his own daughter. Races every suitor that comes to for his daughter, Hippodamia. Killed by Pelops
Tantalus
Favorite among the gods, especially Zeus. Compared to ganymede(?). He killed his son Pelops and fed him to a number of gods. Was immediately sent to Hades
Punishment of Tantalus
river too low to drink from, fruit tree to high to eat from. Must sit, tantalized for all eternity
Pelops
restored to life by the gods after being killed by Tantalus. Gave name to Peloponnese, important sacrifice to him and Zeus
Chariot race for the hand of Hippodamia
suitors for Hippodamia would come and race against Oenomaus , if he caught up to them, they would be killed
Myrtilus
in other version, charioteer of Oenomaus. Was bribed with Hippodamia’s virginity, by Pelops to pull the lynchpins from the chariot so Oenomaus crashed and died. Myrtilus thrown of cliff by Pelops, and curses him. Origin of the
Author of the Oresteia
Aeschylus, only
Clytemnestra
wife of Agamemnon, ruled as regent. Taken as her lover Aegisthus
House of Atreus
connected with Mycenae and Argos, the other cursed line (Laius being the other). Atreus is the son of Pelops
Atreus and Thyestes
sons of Pelops, exiled to Mycenae for the murder of Chrysippus. serve as regents for Eurthysetes, both sons of Pelops.
Oracle of Mycenae
Have one of Pelops sons as king
Atreus and the fleece
had golden fleece, vowed it to Artemis, hid it, his wife, Aerope gave fleece to Thyestes. Owner of the golden fleece is king, Atreus is exiled.
Resolution of Kingship of Mycenae
Zeus makes sun rise in west, set in the east. Such an omen, the Myceneans reverse their decision exile Thyestes and make Atreus king
Atreus’ revenge
invites Thyestes back to a feast to make peace. kills Thyestes sons and serves them to him in the feast. Thyestes curses Atreus.
Thyestes revenge
oracle: son by own daughter will kill Atreus. Thyestes doesnt have a daughter. He rapes a woman, who happens to be his daughter, pelopia, leaves sword.
Pelopia
daughter of Thyestes. Has son by him, raised by his brother Atreus. Son is Aegisthus. Kills her.
Aegisthus
son of Pelopia by her own father, Thyestes. Oracled to kill his father.
Resolution of conflict between Thyestes and Atreus
Aegisthus, asked by Atreus (presumed father) to kill Thyestes after he is captured by Menelaus and Agamemnon. Goes and get Pelopia sword. Thyestes recognizes him, and so Aegisthus kills Atreus. The Dioscuri flee
Set up for the Oresteia
Agamemnon and Menelaus return and exile Aegisthus
Clytemnestra greets Agamemnon
Clytemnestra rolls out the red carpet for Agamemnon, Casssandra (agamemnon’s slave) protests b/c she knows she is going to get murdered. Agamemnon is killed by Clytemnestra
dike
justice
Orestes
son of Clytemnestra & agamemnon. Morally obligated to kill his father’s murderer, his mother.
Electra
daughter of Clytemnestra and Agamemnon. Recognizes Orestes’ recognition tokens.
Orestes’ return
Orestes and Electra reunite. Orestes goes to the palace, assumes false identity, kills Aegisthus and Clytemenestra.
Punishment of Orestes
followed by the furies, who drive him mad for the crime of Matricide
Apollo’s intervention for Orestes
he transports him to Athens (strange to have a greek play change location)
he is tried by jury.
Aeropagus
the courthouse of Athens where Orestes presideds
The Trial of Orestes
the furies prosecute, Athena presides and Apollo defends. Jury comes to a tie, Athena acquits him.
Erinyes
the furies
Political significance of the trial of Orestes
Athens is the seat of this new judicial system. Orestes is freed from the crime of Matricide, freed from the old unyielding laws of old