Iphigenia
heroIphigenia was Agamemnon's eldest daughter, sacrificed at Aulis to gain winds for Troy — or rescued at the last moment by Artemis and whisked to Tauris.
The Myth
When Artemis becalmed the Greek fleet at Aulis, the seer Calchas declared only Iphigenia's sacrifice could bring winds. Agamemnon lured her with the promise of marriage to Achilles. In Euripides' Iphigenia at Aulis, she initially resists, then voluntarily offers herself for Greece's cause. Some versions say Artemis substituted a deer at the last moment and carried Iphigenia to Tauris to serve as her priestess. In Iphigenia in Tauris, Orestes finds and rescues her years later.
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Fun Fact
Iphigenia is the Iliad's original casualty — sacrificed before the war even begins, her death taints everything that follows.
Explore Further
Achilles
heroThe greatest warrior in the Greek army at Troy, nearly invulnerable thanks to being dipped in the...
Agamemnon
heroAgamemnon led the Greek coalition against Troy but was murdered upon return by his wife...
Artemis
godTwin sister of Apollo and goddess of the hunt. Artemis roamed the wild forests with her band of...
Aulis
placeAulis was the harbour in Boeotia where the Greek fleet of over a thousand ships assembled before...
Clytemnestra
heroClytemnestra murdered Agamemnon on his return from Troy, driven by rage over Iphigenia's sacrifice.
Orestes
heroOrestes killed his mother to avenge his father — then was acquitted by Athena's court.