The curse of the Pelops is a generational affliction of bloodshed, treachery, and suffering that plagued the descendants of Pelops, the mythical king of Pisa. It was primarily set in motion by the betrayal and murder of Myrtilus, and its immediate manifestation was the violent actions of Pelops's own sons.
The curse, said to have been pronounced by Myrtilus, arose from Pelops's deceitful victory in a chariot race against King Oenomaus to win the hand of Hippodamia. Pelops had bribed Myrtilus, Oenomaus's charioteer, to sabotage Oenomaus's chariot. After winning, Pelops, fearing Myrtilus might reveal his treachery or try to claim Hippodamia himself, threw Myrtilus into the sea, where he drowned. As he fell, Myrtilus cursed Pelops and his entire lineage, ensuring a cycle of violence would follow them.
Manifestation and Key Events
This curse profoundly impacted Pelops's descendants, leading to a long history of familial strife and tragic events. A significant early example of the curse's influence on his immediate family was the actions of his sons:
- The Murder of Chrysippus: Pelops's sons, Alcathous, Atreus, and Thyestes, set upon a bloody course with the murder of their stepbrother Chrysippus. Chrysippus was the son of Pelops's union with a nymph, and his murder by his half-brothers initiated a grim series of events that would define the cursed lineage.
This act of fratricide was a direct fulfillment of Myrtilus's curse, leading to a chain of horrific events within the House of Atreus, a prominent branch of Pelops's descendants. The curse's shadow extended to figures like Agamemnon, Menelaus, and Orestes, leading to further instances of murder, revenge, and cannibalism across generations.
Impact on the Pelopid Dynasty
The curse ensured that subsequent generations faced a destiny marked by violence, rivalry, and tragic ends. The most infamous examples stem from the rivalry between Pelops's sons Atreus and Thyestes, which included infanticide and cannibalism, and continued into the Trojan War saga with Agamemnon and his family.
Here's a simplified overview of key figures affected by the curse's early stages:
| Figure | Relation to Pelops | Role in the Curse's Manifestation |
|---|---|---|
| Myrtilus | Charioteer | Pronounced the curse on Pelops and his descendants after being betrayed and killed by Pelops. |
| Chrysippus | Son of Pelops | Murdered by his stepbrothers, Alcathous, Atreus, and Thyestes, marking an early fulfillment of the curse. |
| Alcathous | Son of Pelops | Involved in the murder of his stepbrother Chrysippus. |
| Atreus | Son of Pelops | Involved in the murder of Chrysippus; later engaged in a bitter, bloody rivalry with his brother Thyestes, leading to horrific acts. |
| Thyestes | Son of Pelops | Involved in the murder of Chrysippus; suffered extreme vengeance from his brother Atreus, including being fed his own children. |
The curse of the Pelops serves as a foundational myth in Greek tragedy, illustrating themes of inherited guilt, divine retribution, and the inescapable nature of fate once a lineage is tainted by grave misdeeds. For more detailed information on Pelops and his lineage, consider exploring resources like the Britannica entry on Pelops.
