Hippolytus
heroHippolytus was the chaste son of Theseus who rejected Aphrodite and was destroyed when his stepmother Phaedra fell in love with him.
The Myth
Hippolytus devoted himself entirely to Artemis and scorned Aphrodite. The love goddess, insulted, caused Phaedra to fall desperately in love with her stepson. When Hippolytus rejected her, Phaedra hanged herself, leaving a note accusing him of assault. Theseus believed the note and cursed his son using one of three wishes granted by Poseidon. A monstrous bull rose from the sea and terrified Hippolytus's horses; he was dragged to death. Artemis revealed the truth too late.
Parents
Theseus and Hippolyta (or Antiope)
Symbols
Fun Fact
Euripides wrote two versions of this play — the first was so scandalous (Phaedra propositioned Hippolytus onstage) that he rewrote it. Only the second survives.
Explore Further
Aphrodite
godGoddess of love and beauty, born from the sea foam. Aphrodite's power to inspire desire was so...
Artemis
godTwin sister of Apollo and goddess of the hunt. Artemis roamed the wild forests with her band of...
Phaedra
heroPhaedra was the wife of Theseus who was cursed by Aphrodite to fall hopelessly in love with her...
Poseidon
godLord of the seas and brother of Zeus. Poseidon's moods shaped the oceans — calm seas for those who...
Theseus
heroThe hero who navigated the Labyrinth, slew the Minotaur, and became the legendary king of Athens....
Achilles
heroThe greatest warrior in the Greek army at Troy, nearly invulnerable thanks to being dipped in the...