Aegisthus
Son of Thyestes who murdered Agamemnon to avenge his father, ruling Mycenae with Clytemnestra for seven years.
The Legend of Aegisthus
He was the product of incest — fathered specifically as a weapon of revenge. An oracle told Thyestes that only a son born from his own daughter could avenge the cannibal feast. Thyestes raped his daughter Pelopia, and she bore Aegisthus. Raised in Atreus's household without knowing his true parentage, Aegisthus was sent to kill Thyestes but recognized his father by a sword. He then killed Atreus instead. While Agamemnon was at Troy, Aegisthus seduced Clytemnestra and ruled Mycenae. Together they murdered Agamemnon on his return. Orestes, Agamemnon's son, later killed both of them. Homer calls Aegisthus a coward; Aeschylus barely mentions him, giving the real agency to Clytemnestra.
Parents
Thyestes, Pelopia
Symbols
Fun Fact
Homer uses Aegisthus as a warning to Odysseus — the faithful Penelope is contrasted with the murderous Clytemnestra.
Explore Further
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King of Iolcus and Argonaut who tried to murder Peleus through treachery on Mount Pelion — a tale of false accusation and sacred hospitality violated.
Atreus
🗡 herovengeance
King of Mycenae who murdered his nephews and fed them to his brother Thyestes, establishing the bloodiest family curse in myth.
Clytemnestra
🗡 heroQueen who murdered Agamemnon
Clytemnestra murdered Agamemnon on his return from Troy, driven by rage over Iphigenia's sacrifice.
Orestes
🗡 heroAvenger of Agamemnon
Orestes killed his mother to avenge his father — then was acquitted by Athena's court.
Agamemnon
🗡 heroKing of Mycenae
Agamemnon led the Greek coalition against Troy but was murdered upon return by his wife Clytemnestra.
Procne
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Athenian princess married to Tereus who killed her own son Itys to avenge her sister Philomela's rape.
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🗡 herocurse
Brother of Atreus who seduced his sister-in-law and was tricked into eating his own children at the feast of Atreus.
Tenes
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🗡 herovengeance, transformation
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Hecuba
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Queen of Troy who survived the fall, witnessed the sacrifice of Polyxena, and took savage revenge on the man who murdered her son Polydorus.