Wednesday 18 March 2015

Chrysippus

In Greek mythology, Chrysippus  was described as the son of Pelops, the king of Pisa and the nymph Axioche.
                                                                                When king Laius of Thebes was still young, his cousins,  Amphion and Zethus usurped the throne of Thebes. With the help of loyal subjects Laius fled Thebes to save his life, and sought refuge in Pisa. Laius was welcomed by Pelops, the king of Pisa. When Laius reached manhood, Pelops entrusted his son, Chrysippus, to him so that he would teach the boy the charioteer's art. The king loved Chrysippus best of all his sons, and wanted him well trained in the arts of war. Laius fell hopelessly in love with the beautiful youth, Chrysippus.
abduction of Chrysippus

                                                      Laius abducted and raped Chrysippus, and carried him off to Thebes while teaching him how to drive a chariot.  By then Amphion and Zethus were dead and Laius became king of Thebes upon his return.   In other version,  during the Nemean games Chrysippus was kidnapped and raped by Laius. For his crime Laius, his city, and his family were later punished by the gods.
                                                             In some versions,Chryssipus killed himself with his sword out of shame. In other version, Chryssipus was killed out of jealousy by Atreus and Thyestes, his half-brothers, who cast him into a well. They had been sent by their mother, Hippodamia, who feared Chrysippus would inherit Pelops's throne instead of her sons. Atreus and Thyestes, together with their mother, were banished by Pelops and took refuge in Mycenae. There Hippodamia hung herself.
                               In Another version has Hippodamia committing the deed herself, on behalf of her sons Atreus and Thyestes. She waited until Laius and Chrysippus were asleep together, and then used the knife of Laius to slay Chrysippus. Chrysippus, however, did not die at once, and was able to tell Pelops that the real murderer was his stepmother.
The death of Chryssippus is sometimes seen as springing from the curse that Myrtilus placed on Pelops for his betrayal.

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