Who was Atreus and what was his role in Greek mythology?
Atreus was the King of Mycenae and father of Agamemnon and Menelaus. He led a cursed family line that began with Pelops and continued through generations of violence.
Questions about Atreus
Short answers, pulled from the story.
How did the curse on House of Atreus begin according to the script text?
The curse started when Tantalus served his son Pelops as food to gods, leading Hephaestus to replace Pelops' shoulder with ivory. This substitution marked the family line as cursed from that moment forward after Myrtilus placed a final curse on Pelops and his descendants.
What happened when Atreus killed Thyestes sons and tricked him into eating them?
Atreus murdered Thyestes sons and cooked their flesh except for hands and feet before forcing Thyestes to eat the meat. The sun reversed its course rising in the west and setting in the east to mark this event while people bowed before the man who had changed celestial motion itself.
When did Aegisthus kill Atreus and how did he become involved in the family tragedy?
Aegisthus murdered Atreus only when he reached adulthood after Thyestes revealed the incestuous origin of their relationship. An oracle advised Thyestes to father a son with daughter Pelopia so that child would kill Atreus and end the cycle of violence.
Why did Agamemnon sacrifice Iphigenia and what were the consequences of that act?
Agamemnon sacrificed his first-born daughter Iphigenia because prophet Calchas told him to offer what he valued most to stop winds stalling his fleet toward Troy. This act led Clytemnestra to begin an affair with Aegisthus and eventually murder Agamemnon upon his return from battle.
How do scholars connect the historical figure Attarsiya to the mythological King Atreus?
Scholars examine Hittite texts like Indictment of Madduwatta from late fifteenth century BC where Greek leader named Attarsiya appears in records describing army clashes around early fourteenth century BC. Trevor Bryce notes possible connection in Near Eastern Archaeology volume sixty-five number three while M.L. West argues the person bearing that name may not match famous mythological figure exactly.